Influence of pulsed electric field-assisted dehydration on the volatile compounds of basil leaves

Pulsed electric field (PEF) was applied to basil leaves prior air drying at 40 °C. The parameters of the electric treatment were designed in such a way that (i) electroporated the tissue reversibly, provoking a permanent opening of the stomatal guard cells and (ii) electroporated the tissue irreversibly, damaging the cells. Treated leaves lost some volatile compounds due to both PEF treatments, probably related with the direct effect of permeabilization on the secretory cells of glandular trichomes. Upon drying, the irreversible permeabilization treatment showed the highest influence on the profile of volatiles in the dried leaves showing better retention of some terpenoids than the control. The performed statistical analysis allowed to select six compounds that can be used as markers both for the effect of pre-treatments prior dehydration and for the effects of dehydration itself on the volatile compounds of basil leaves