Essential oil extraction from citronella grass by microwave-assisted hydro-distillation technique: A preliminary study

Abstract

This study evaluates potency of microwave hydro-distillation method to yield citronella oil from citronella grass. The presence of microwave energy provides sufficient thermal heat to accelerate extraction process. Penetration of microwave energy into citronella grass sample facilitates temperature increment inside-out from the sample which enhance citronella oil released from cell wall immediately. Parameters to be evaluated in this study are temperature profile during extraction process and citronella oil yield. The variables observed in this study were power (300 Watt,450 Watt and 600 Watt) and time (30 minutes, 45 minutes and 60 minutes). This study observed the effect of power and time to the yield of essential oils. In this study, it was observed that the highest yield obtained during extraction using power of 600 Watt for about 60 minutes that yielded 9.7% citronella oil. The results indicate potency of microwaves as a heating medium for extracting essential oils as an effective method with respect to their efficient time feature.