DEVELOPMENT OF ESSENTIAL OIL EXTRACTION BY MICROWAVE ASSISTED PROCESS FROM A LOCAL PLANT

Abstract

Microwave Assisted Process (MAP) is a high speed technique for selective extraction of target compounds of Essential Oil (EO) from selected raw materials using a microwave at 2.45GHz which is S-band applicator as the energy source during extraction leading to: fast processing time; improved yield and quality; direct extraction capability; lower energy consumption; reduced solvent levels and lower capital investment. Microwave Solvent Extraction Labstation (ETHOS SEL) and Hydro-Distillation (HD) were compared for the extraction of essential oil from mesua ferrea L. (Guittiferea) leaves. The results obtained revealed that the technique is efficient and used small amount of solvent, i.e. the first essential oil droplets came out in 5 min with ETHOS SEL and in 60 to 90 min for HD. In 40 min of extraction it is possible to collect a sufficient amount of essential oil for analytical determination by Gas Chromatography (GC) and Gas Chromatography coupled to Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS). ETHOS SEL essential oil is found rich in major compounds compared to HD. This is a new technique that combines microwave heating and dry-distillation provides more valuable essential oils, reduces the extraction time, and allows a substantial saving energy.