Effectiveness of Storing Medicinal Plant Leaves Under Modified Atmosphere on the Physicochemical Stability and Essential Oil Composition Over Time

This study investigated the effects of packaging methods and storage time on the postharvest conservation of Lippia origanoides and Ocimum gratissimum . The research analyzed CO 2 concentration inside the packaging, water content, color parameters ( L * , a * , b * , C * , and Δ E * ), essential oil content, and chromatographic composition of the essential oil extracted from leaves stored under three conditions (ambient air, vacuum, and CO 2 ‐enriched gas) for up to 9 months. Variance and regression analyses showed that vacuum packaging best preserved the oil content and color of L. origanoides , while CO 2 ‐enriched packaging was more effective in maintaining its essential oil composition. In O. gratissimum , packaging did not significantly affect water content or color, but vacuum packaging provided better chemical stability. Regarding essential oil composition, no significant differences were observed in L. origanoides across packaging types, nor in eugenol concentration in O. gratissimum . However, E ‐caryophyllene concentration was better preserved in vacuum and ambient air storage. These findings demonstrate that storage atmosphere directly influences the physicochemical stability and functional quality of essential oils in dried medicinal plant leaves. The evidence provided supports the development of more effective postharvest packaging strategies for the species studied, with potential applications in the phytotherapeutic, food, and bioinput industries.