Steam Distillation Essential Oil Extraction Methods

Steam distillation is the most common method of extracting essential oils.

Steam distillation essential oil extraction methods.

Steam distillation is a process used for the recovery of volatile compounds with high boiling point from inert and complex matrices solid or liquid using saturated or superheated steam as separation and energy agent cerpa et al 2008 this process is used for the extraction of essential oil from plants palma et al 2013 in practice the process uses water and or steam as extracting. Essential oils are mixtures of aromatic chemicals present in plant material such as leaves buds flowers fruit bark root or wood and are comprised of various natural compounds including terpenes acids aldehydes alcohols esters and ketones. Steam distillation is done in a still the still is tall with a head and a well insulated swan s neck preceded by a mechanism to prevent fumes and impurities passing through. Oils derived from steam distillation vary in their qualities depending on the temperatures pressures and length of time applied for the process.

This happens when the steam vaporizes the plant material s volatile compounds which eventually go through a condensation and collection process. Steam distillation is the most widely used method for the extraction of essential oils and isolation of petroleum components. Fresh or sometimes dried botanical. Steam distillation is the most popular method used to extract and isolate essential oils from plants for use in natural products.

The hot steam helps to release the aromatic molecules from the plant material since the steam forces open the pockets in which the oils are kept in the plant material. Steam distillation and cold pressing. Essential oils derived from the supercritical co2 extraction of herbs are similar to the oils produced through distillation in that they can be used in aromatherapy and natural perfumery. Nearly all essential oils are obtained using physical extraction methods with most essential oils.