How essential oils are extracted from plants

Summary

In this video, Ira from Senera Essentials explains six key methods for extracting essential oils, including hydro distillation, steam distillation, solvent extraction, CO2 extraction, expression, and enfleurage. Each method is broken down, showcasing its unique process and suitability for different plant materials. From the traditional enfleurage method using animal or vegetable fats to the modern, clean CO2 extraction, the video provides a thorough understanding of how essential oils are extracted, helping viewers appreciate the science behind their production.

Takeaways

• 😀 Essential oils are extracted using six different methods: hydro distillation, steam distillation, solvent extraction, CO2 extraction, expression, and enfleurage.
• 😀 Hydro distillation is commonly used to extract essential oils like rose oil, where the plant material is heated in water to produce vapor that is condensed and separated.
• 😀 Steam distillation is the most popular method for extracting essential oils, where steam passes through plant material, turning the oils into vapor and collecting them in a liquid state.
• 😀 Solvent extraction is used for plants with low concentrations of aromatic oils, utilizing food-grade solvents like hexane and ethanol to extract essential oils.
• 😀 CO2 extraction (supercritical fluid extraction) uses carbon dioxide in a supercritical state to extract high-grade essential oils without leaving any solvents behind.
• 😀 Expression is primarily used for citrus fruits, where the fruit is pressed to release essential oils from the peel, and then the mixture is centrifuged and filtered.
• 😀 Enfleurage is an ancient method where flowers are pressed into animal or vegetable fat, which absorbs the essential oils over several days.
• 😀 Rose hydrosol or floral water is a byproduct of hydro distillation, containing water and some essential oils.
• 😀 Solvent extraction has a downside, as traces of the solvent may remain in the final essential oil or concrete.
• 😀 CO2 extraction is considered one of the cleanest and most modern methods, preserving the plant's full aromatic profile.

Q & A

What are the six different methods of essential oil extraction mentioned in the video?

The six methods of essential oil extraction mentioned are hydro distillation, steam distillation, solvent extraction, CO2 extraction, expression, and enfleurage.

How does the hydro distillation method work?

In hydro distillation, rose petals are submerged in water and heated. The heat causes both the water and rose oil to vaporize. The vapor is then passed through a condenser and collected in a flask. The essential oil is separated from the water, which is also called rose hydrosol or floral water.

What is the main difference between hydro distillation and steam distillation?

In hydro distillation, the plant material is submerged in water, while in steam distillation, steam is passed through the plant material. Both processes convert the aromatic compounds into vapor, which is then condensed into liquid form.

What is the process of solvent extraction, and why is it used?

Solvent extraction is used for plants with low concentrations of essential oils, typically those that are resinous. It involves using food-grade solvents like hexane or ethanol to extract the oils. The process results in a resinous mixture called concrete, which is further treated with alcohol to separate the essential oils.

What is the downside of solvent extraction?

The downside of solvent extraction is that traces of the solvent may remain in the extracted essential oil or concrete, which can affect the purity of the final product.

What is CO2 extraction, and why is it considered one of the cleanest methods?

CO2 extraction, also known as supercritical fluid extraction, involves using carbon dioxide at high pressure and temperature to extract essential oils. This method is considered clean because it doesn’t leave behind solvent residues and preserves the purity of the oils.

How does the expression method work in extracting essential oils from citrus fruits?

In the expression method, citrus fruits like lemons and oranges are pressed to extract oil from tiny sacs in the peel. The whole fruit is pierced and squeezed to release both juice and oil, which is then centrifuged and filtered to obtain the essential oil.

Why is the oil obtained through the expression method more volatile than other oils?

The oils extracted through expression are more volatile because they evaporate quickly when exposed to air, which is a characteristic of the cold-press process used for citrus fruits.

What is enfleurage, and why is it no longer commonly used?

Enfleurage is one of the oldest methods of extracting essential oils from aromatic flowers, involving the use of animal or vegetable fat to absorb the oils. Fresh flowers are pressed into the fat, and the process is repeated until the desired fragrance is achieved. It is no longer used commercially due to its labor-intensive nature.

What are the benefits of using hydro distillation for extracting rose oil?

Hydro distillation is particularly beneficial for extracting rose oil because it is a gentle method that preserves the delicate nature of the fragrance. It also produces rose hydrosol, a byproduct that is widely used in skincare and aromatherapy.