This study aims to evaluate the effect of drying parameters on the yield and chemical composition of the extracted essential oil from bay laurel leaves (Laurus Nobilis L) grown in Tunisia. Bay laurel leaves were dried in a convective hot air dryer. Experiments were established in a range of temperature of 45-70°C, a range of relative humidity of 5-45% and a range of air velocity varying between 1, 1.5 and 2 m/s. The volatile compounds were isolated by hydro-distillation extraction method and analyzed by gas GC-MS. A total number of 23 compounds were identified. The principal component analysis (PCA) of Laurus Nobilis.L was employed to provide a comprehensive evaluation of essential oil components. The cluster analysis of Laurus Nobilis L (HCA) was classified into two subsets, characterized according to the major essential oil components. It was found that drying time, essential oil yield and the percentage of volatile compounds were slightly influenced by drying temperature. The temperature of 60°C was the most suitable temperature which provides best results: it shortened drying time and causes the lowest losses of volatile compounds as compared to fresh leaves.

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