Extractions methods are the most important aspect of getting the highest quality yield of an essential oil. The best extraction methods usually will minimize damage to the plant material and the essential oil.
The wrong application of extraction to a particular plant material can and will destroy the chemical signature and damage the oil.
These are some of the methods of extraction that are used:
1. CO2—1st choice for aroma extraction, decaffeination, defatting, pesticide removal, phytoextraction, and sterilization.
2. Distillation - converts the volatile liquid (the essential oils) into a vapor and then condenses the vapor back into a liquid.
It is the most popular, and cost effective method in use today in producing essential oils. There various methods within this category:
a) Water distillation
b) Steam distillation
c) Hydro diffusion
d) Cohobation
e) Rectification
f) Water and steam distillation
g) Fractional distillation
3. Expression - is a cold pressed method of extraction, which is mostly used in the extraction of citrus essential oils.
a) Sponge expression
b) Ecuelle a piquer
c) Machine abrasion
4. Solvent extraction – this is a method where solvents are used to coax the essential oils out of the botanical material and there are various ways are also used in this method.
a) Maceration
b) Enfleurage
c) Solvent
d) Hypercritical Carbon dioxide CO
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