Skip to main content

Microwave-Assisted Extraction of Essential Oils and Aromas

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Microwave-assisted Extraction for Bioactive Compounds

Part of the book series: Food Engineering Series ((FSES))

Abstract

This chapter presents a complete picture of current knowledge on microwave-assisted extractions (MAE) of essential oils and aromas. It elaborates the necessary theoretical background about essential oils and aromas. Various microwave-related techniques, and their advantages and applications in extracting essential oils and aromas, are reviewed in detail. All the reported microwave-assisted extraction techniques and their applications have shown that MAE can be considered an alternative to conventional techniques because of its benefits in reduction of extraction times, of cost, energy, and solvent consumption, and of CO2 emission, which have also been validated by subsequent environmental impact assessment. In addition, some MAE techniques have already successfully applied at an industrial scale in the cosmetic, perfume, and nutraceutical industries.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

eBook
USD 16.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 119.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Craveiro AA, Matos FJA, Alencar JW, Plumel MM (1989) Microwave oven extraction of an essential oil. Flavour Frag J 4:43–44

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Nan Lee B (2010) Microwave apparatus and method of extracting essential oils, essence, and pigments with gas flow. Patent application publication US 2010/0288621 A1

    Google Scholar 

  3. Stashenko EE, Jaramillo BE, Martinez JR (2004) Analysis of volatile secondary metabolites from Colombian Xylopia aromatica (Lamarck) by different extraction and headspace methods and gas chromatography. J Chromatogr A 1025:105–113

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Stashenko EE, Jaramillo BE, Martinez JR (2004) Comparison of different extraction methods for the analysis of volatile secondary metabolites of Lippia alba (Mill.) N.E. Brown, grown in Colombia, and evaluation of its in vitro antioxidant activity. J Chromatogr A 1025:93–103

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Golmakani MT, Rezaei K (2008) Comparison of microwave-assisted hydrodistillation with the traditional hydrodistillation method in the extraction of essential oils from Thymus vulgaris L. Food Chem 109:925–930

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Golmakani MT, Rezaei K (2008) Microwave-assisted hydrodistillation of essential oil from Zataria multiflora Boiss. Eur J Lipid Sci Technol 110:448–454

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Rezvanpanah S, Rezaei K, Hadi Razavi S, Moini S (2008) Use of microwave-assisted hydrodistillation to extract the essential oils from Satureja hortensis and Satureja montana. Food Sci Technol Res 14:311–314

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Thi NDT, Anh TH, Thach LN (2008) The essential oil composition of Eryngium foetidum L. in South Vietnam extracted by hydrodistillation under conventional heating and microwave irradiation. J Essent Oil Bear Plants 11:154–161

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Iriti M, Colnaghi G, Chemat F, Smadja J, Faoro F, Visinoni FA (2006) Histocytochemistry and scanning electron microscopy of lavender glandular trichomes following conventional and microwave-assisted hydrodistillation of essential oils: a comparative study. Flavour Frag J 21:704–712

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Kosar M, Özek T, Göger F, Kürkcüoglu M, Can Baser KH (2005) Comparison of microwave-assisted hydrodistillation and hydrodistillation methods for the analysis of volatile secondary metabolites. Pharm Biol 43:491–495

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Flamini G, Tebano M, Cioni PL, Ceccarini L, Ricci AS, Longo I (2007) Comparison between the conventional method of extraction of essential oil of Laurus nobilis L. and a novel method which uses microwaves applied in situ, without resorting to an oven. J Chromatogr A 1143:36–40

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Sahraoui N, Abert Vian M, Bornard I, Boutekedjiret C, Chemat F (2008) Improved microwave steam distillation apparatus for isolation of essential oils, comparison with conventional steam distillation. J Chromatogr A 1210(2008):229–233

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Chemat F, Smadja J, Lucchesie ME (2004) Solvent free microwave extraction of volatile natural compound. European Patent EP 1 439218 B1

    Google Scholar 

  14. Chemat F, Lucchesie ME, Smadja J (2004) Solvent free microwave extraction of volatile natural substances. American Patent US 0187340 A1

    Google Scholar 

  15. Lucchesie ME, Chemat F, Smadja J (2004) Solvent-free microwaves extraction of essential oil from aromatic herbs: comparison with conventional hydro-distillation. J Chromatogr A 1043:323–327

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Lucchesie ME, Chemat F, Smadja J (2004) Solvent-free microwaves extraction of essential oil from spices. Flavour Frag J 19:134–138

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Lucchesie ME, Smadja J, Bradshaw S, Louw W, Chemat F (2007) Solvent free microwave extraction of Elleteria cardamom L.: a multivariate study of a new technique for the extraction of essential oil. J Food Eng 79:1079–1086

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Ferhat MA, Meklati BY, Smadja J, Chemat F (2006) An improved microwave Clevenger apparatus for distillation of essential oils from orange peel. J Chromatogr A 1112:121–126

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Ferhat MA, Meklati BY, Visinoni F, Abert Vian M, Chemat F (2008) Solvent free microwave extraction of essential oils green chemistry in the teaching laboratory. Chimica Oggi Chem Today 26:48–50

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Ferhat MA, Meklati BY, Chemat F (2007) Comparison of different isolation methods of essential oil from citrus fruits: cold pressing, hydrodistillation and microwave ‘dry’ distillation. Flavour Frag J 22:494–504

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Tigrine-Kordjani N, Meklati BY, Chemat F (2006) Microwave ‘dry’ distillation as an useful tool for extraction of edible essential oils. Int J Aromatherapy 16:141–147

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Okoh OO, Sadimenko AP, Afolayan AJ (2010) Comparative evaluation of the antibacterial activities of the essential oils of Rosmarinus officinalis L. obtained by hydrodistillation and solvent free microwave extraction methods. Food Chem 120:308–312

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Benkaci-Ali F, Baaliouamer A, Meklati BY, Chemat F (2007) Chemical composition of seed essential oils from Algerian Nigella sativa extracted by microwave and hydrodistillation. Flavour Frag J 22:148–153

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Bayramoglu B, Sahin S, Sumnu G (2008) Solvent-free microwave extraction of essential oil from oregano. J Food Eng 88:535–540

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Bendahou M, Muselli A, Grignon-Dubois M, Benyoucef M, Desjobert JM, Bernardini AF, Costa J (2008) Antimicrobial activity and chemical composition of Origanum glandulosum Desf. essential oil and extract obtained by microwave extraction: comparison with hydrodistillation. Food Chem 106:132–139

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Bayramoglu B, Sahin S, Sumnu G (2009) Extraction of essential oil from laurel leaves by using microwaves. Sep Sci Technol 44:722–733

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Bendahou M, Benyoucef M, Muselli A, Desjobert JM, Paolili J, Bernardini AF, Costa J (2008) Antimicrobial activity and chemical composition of Saccocalyx satureioides Coss. et Dur. essential oil and extract obtained by microwave extraction. Comparison with hydrodistillation. J Essent Oil Res 20:1041–2905

    Google Scholar 

  28. Uysal B, Sozmen F, Buyuktas BS (2010) Solvent-free microwave extraction of essential oils from Laurus nobilis and Melissa officinalis: comparison with conventional hydro-distillation and ultrasound extraction. Nat Prod Commun 5:111–114

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. Liu K, Lota ML, Casanova J, Tomi F (2009) The essential oil of Bupleurum fruticosum L. from Corsica: a comprehensive study. Chem Biodivers 6:2244–2254

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. Riela S, Bruno M, Formisano C, Rigano D, Rosselli S, Saladino ML, Senatore F (2008) Effects of solvent-free microwave extraction on the chemical composition of essential oil of Calamintha nepeta (L.) Savi compared with the conventional production method. J Sep Sci 31:1110–1117

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. Wang Z, Ding L, Li T, Zhou X, Wang L, Zhang H, Liu L, Li Y, Liu Z, Wang H, Zeng H, He H (2006) Improved solvent-free microwave extraction of essential oil from dried Cuminum cyminum L. and Zanthoxylum bungeanum Maxim. J Chromatogr A 1102:11–17

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. Wang Z, Wang L, Li T, Zhou X, Ding L, Yu Y, Yu A, Zhang H (2006) Rapid analysis of the essential oils from dried Illicium verum Hook. f. and Zingiber officinale Rosc. by improved solvent-free microwave extraction with three types of microwave-absorption medium. Anal Bioanal Chem 386:1863–1868

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. Zhai Y, Sun S, Wang Z, Cheng J, Sun Y, Wang L, Zhang Y, Zhang H, Yu A (2009) Microwave extraction of essential oils from dried fruits of Illicium verum Hook. f. and Cuminum cyminum L. using ionic liquid as the microwave absorption medium. J Sep Sci 32:3544–3549

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  34. Wang ZM, Ding L, Wang L, Feng J, Li TC, Zhou X, Zhang HQ (2006) Fast determination of essential oil from dried menthol mint and orange peel by solvent free microwave extraction using carbonyl iron powder as the microwave absorption medium. Chin J Chem 24:649–652

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  35. Chemat F, Vian M, Visioni F (2008) Microwave hydrodiffusion for isolation of natural products. European Patent EP 1,955,749 A1

    Google Scholar 

  36. Abert Vian M, Fernandez X, Visioni F, Chemat F (2008) Microwave hydrodiffusion and gravity: a new technique for extraction of essential oils. J Chromatogr A 1190:14–17

    Article  Google Scholar 

  37. Bousbia N, Abert Vian M, Ferhat MA, Meklati BY, Chemat F (2009) A new process for extraction of essential oil from citrus peels: microwave hydrodiffusion and gravity. J Food Eng 90:409–413

    Article  Google Scholar 

  38. Bousbia N, Abert Vian M, Ferhat MA, Peticolas E, Meklati BY, Chemat F (2009) Comparison of two isolation methods for essential oil from rosemary leaves: hydrodistillation and microwave hydrodiffusion and gravity. Food Chem 14:355–362

    Article  Google Scholar 

  39. Farhat A, Fabiano-Tixier AS, El Maataoui M, Maingonnat JF, Romdhane M, Chemat F (2011) Microwave steam diffusion for extraction of essential oil from orange peel: kinetic data, extract’s global yield and mechanism. Food Chem 125:255–261

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  40. Mengal P, Behn D, Bellido Gill M, Monpon B (1993) VMHD (vacuum microwave hydrodistillation). Parfums Cosmétiques Aromes 114:66–67

    CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Farid Chemat .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2012 Springer Science+Business Media New York

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Chemat, F., Abert-Vian, M., Fernandez, X. (2012). Microwave-Assisted Extraction of Essential Oils and Aromas. In: Chemat, F., Cravotto, G. (eds) Microwave-assisted Extraction for Bioactive Compounds. Food Engineering Series. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-4830-3_3

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics