The application of microwaves in essential oil hydrodistillation processes

Abstract

The influence of microwaves pre-treatment of raw plant materials (wooded greenery and fruits of conifers-fir, spruce, pine, juniper and Douglas fir) on the kinetics of the essential oil hydrodistillation using the Unger-type apparatus was studied. These plant materials are important feedstocks in the Republic of Srpska, as they could be used for the industrial production of essential oils for pharmaceutical, cosmetic and food industries. The main goal was to find out how the microwave pre-treatment of the raw plant materials affected the duration of hydrodistillation and the final yield of the essential oil. The application of microwaves pre-treatment shortened the hydrodistillation process which could significantly affect the economy of the essential oil production.

Keywords

• microwaves
• hydrodistillation
• essential oils
• needles