EFFECT OF WATER CONTENT AND EXTRACTION TIME ON ESSENTIAL OIL RECOVERY EFFICIENCY FROM LIMNOPHILA AROMATICA

Abstract

Limnophil aromatica essential oil (LAEO) was obtained by using Clevenger hydrodistillation method. Distrillated water and aqueous sodium chloride solution were used as solvent for extracting LAEO The ratio of raw material to water, extraction time and sodium chloride concentration were studied. The weight ratio of raw material to water was investigated at 1:10, 1:12, 1:14. The extraction time was surveyed from 5 to 240 minutes. The concentration of sodium chloride was investigated at 2%, 3%, and 5% wt. Results show that optimal conditions for LAEO extraction process are obtained when using 2% NaCl solution as solvent, the weight ratio of LA to NaCl solution is 1:12, extraction time is 105 minutes. Special density, refractive index, ethanol solubility, axit value, saponification index, esterification index of LAEO were respectively 0.8411 g/ml, 1.4721, 1:6, 5.61, 30.29; 24.68. Limonene is the main component (30.28%) of LAEO.