Influence on the quality of essential lemon (Citrus aurantifolid) oil by distillation process

Abstract

The essential oil of key lime (Citrus aurantifolia) was obtained by steam distillation at normal conditions (1.0 bar/25°C) with steam at 110°C, during 10h. The GC analysis identified about 10 main substances, being limonene, p-cymene, myrcene and β-bisabolene the most significant compounds. Aldehyde content increased significantly during distillation time (upper phase). After 10h of process, oil has presented more than 3% of aldehydes content due to oxidative reactions.