none 10.47481/jten.0034 Yildiz Technical University Yildiz Technical University 27223 196918576 283869 20260623132918791 10.47481 2026-06-23T13:29:19Z 2026-06-23T08:54:18Z 0 Journal of Thermal Engineering JTEN 2148-7847 Hicham Bendehina Mohamed I University https://ror.org/01ejxf797 https://orcid.org/0009-0007-8901-8272 Asma Abdenbi Mohamed I University https://ror.org/01ejxf797 https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2414-6621 Brahim Dennai Mohamed I University https://ror.org/01ejxf797 https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1882-4932 Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.), juniper (Juniperus phoenicea), and pomegranate peel are widely used in the food and medical industries in the Mediterranean region. However, preventing determination of the most accurate drying method; likewise, studies on the effectiveness of their extracts against bacteria and fungi—and on the most effective post-extraction combinations—are scarce. Therefore, this experimental study aimed to produce a natural disinfectant free of any chemicals and to investigate the drying of thin layers of Rosmarinus officinalis L., Juniperus phoenicea, and pomegranate peel using three methods: shade drying, solar drying, and convective drying. Dried plants were obtained from each herb, and extracts were prepared from each plant using the three methods, resulting in three types of natural disinfectants, each made from the extracts of one single drying method. The research was conducted in a region in the southwest of Algerian. The main results were as follows: Production of a natural disinfectant effective against bacteria and fungi, and the best drying results were as follows: the optimal drying results for the juniper plant Convective Forced drying 54.3%; solar drying for rosemary 51.33%; for pomegranate peel convective forced drying 37.31%. The aim of this comparative study is to find the best method for drying these plants and to examine determine which of the three plants yields the best extracts, to prepare them for producing a natural disinfectant. Storing grains such as wheat and barley leads to the proliferation of promoting proliferation of bacteria and fungi, and the purpose of this disinfectant is to address this issue by preserving the grains from bacteria and fungi during storage and this disinfectant is intended to prevent such proliferation during storage. 06 23 2026 10.47481/jten.0034 https://jten.yildiz.edu.tr/article/1174