Use of microwave-assisted hydrodistillation to extract the essential oils from Satureja hortensis and Satureja montana

Abstract

Microwave-assisted hydrodistillation (MAHD) has recently been attended for the extraction of essential oils from medicinal plants/herbs. In this study, MAHD was investigated for the extraction of essential oils from two genotypes of savory {Satureja hortensis, so-called summer savory, and Satureja montana, socalled winter savory). Three levels of microwave power (220, 440 and 660 W) were selected for the extraction. MAHD resulted in a shorter extraction time compared to that in HD. Total extraction times at 660 W microwave power was 180 min for S. hortensis and 90 min for S. montana. The extraction yield obtained by MAHD was almost equal to that obtained by HD (3.1%, w/w, for S. hortensis and 0.7% for S. Montana). Extraction was more efficient at higher power levels.