Aaron Juztine Martinez - 2020101858 - 74th Colloquium Video Submission

Summary

Ara Justin Martinez’s thesis explores optimizing the supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) of essential oils from Sampaguita flowers, with a focus on how drying methods and extraction parameters like temperature, pressure, and time impact oil quality and yield. The study highlights that moderate temperatures (35°C) and pressures (200-300 bar) lead to the best oil quality, while higher temperatures cause burnt odors. The research also emphasizes the significance of pre-treatment methods, such as cryogenic freezing and ethanol soaking, to enhance oil purity. The findings provide valuable insights into improving oil extraction processes for Sampaguita farmers and creating alternative market opportunities.

Takeaways

• 😀 Sampaguita flowers (Jasminum sambac) play a significant role in the Philippines' economy, especially in regions like Pampanga and Laguna, where women farmers are central to production.
• 😀 The study focuses on optimizing the supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) process to extract essential oils from Sampaguita flowers, improving both quality and yield.
• 😀 SFE is an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional methods like distillation and organic solvent extraction, offering benefits in efficiency and quality.
• 😀 The thesis investigates how drying methods (air drying vs. oven drying) and extraction parameters (temperature, pressure, time) affect the quality of essential oils extracted from the flowers.
• 😀 The study found that plucking petals before drying often resulted in unpleasant oil qualities, while drying after plucking produced better oils with more pleasant compounds.
• 😀 Temperature was identified as the most significant factor, with 35°C producing sweet, floral oils, and temperatures above 40°C leading to burnt-smelling, low-quality oils.
• 😀 Pressure also plays a critical role, with higher pressures (200-300 bar) leading to higher oil yields, but too high pressure could negatively affect the oil's fragrance.
• 😀 Longer extraction times led to higher yields but diminishing returns, suggesting an optimal extraction time to balance yield and quality.
• 😀 Sensory evaluation showed that oils extracted at 35°C and 40°C were more pleasant, with floral and sweet notes, while oils extracted at higher temperatures had unpleasant, burnt odors.
• 😀 The study recommends using pre-treatment methods like cryogenic freezing, ethanol soaking, and microwave-assisted pre-treatment to remove waxes and impurities, improving oil quality and yield.
• 😀 The findings suggest that SFE could provide a new market for Sampaguita farmers, enabling them to produce high-quality essential oils for various industries, including cosmetics and aromatherapy.

Q & A

What is the main focus of Ara Justin Martinez's thesis?

The thesis focuses on the variations in the quality of essential oil from sampagita (Jasminum sambac) flowers, specifically how drying methods and parameters in supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) affect the oil quality.

What role do women play in the production of sampagita flowers in the Philippines?

Women play a crucial role in the production and marketing of sampagita flowers, particularly in regions like Pampanga and Laguna, where they are involved in various stages of production.

What is supercritical fluid extraction (SFE), and why is it important in this study?

SFE is an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional methods like distillation and organic solvent extraction. It is important in this study as it provides a more sustainable and efficient method of extracting essential oils from sampagita flowers.

How did the COVID-19 pandemic impact sampagita farming in the Philippines?

The COVID-19 pandemic led to a noticeable decline in the market for sampagita flowers, affecting farmers' livelihoods, especially women who are central to the flower production and marketing.

What was the methodology used in Ara Justin Martinez's study?

The study used a graphical methodology starting with the development of RSM (Response Surface Methodology) parameters, followed by sample preparation, drying, extraction using SFE, and analysis through GCMS and FDI techniques.

What was the surprising result regarding the product after extraction?

The extracted product was found to be waxy rather than the expected liquid essential oil, likely due to co-extraction of waxes alongside the essential oils.

What were the key findings from the GCMS and FDI analysis?

The GCMS and FDI analysis identified significant compounds in the extracts, including both pleasant compounds like floral and sweet aromas as well as unpleasant ones such as musketone, a compound with an animalistic odor.

What were the effects of different drying methods on the quality of the oil?

Drying methods significantly impacted oil quality. Plucking petals before drying led to unpleasant oil quality, while drying after plucking resulted in more pleasant aromas. Overnight air drying showed inconsistencies in waxiness.

What temperature range yielded the best results for oil quality and yield?

The temperature of 35°C produced the sweetest and most fragrant oil, while temperatures above 40°C resulted in burnt-smelling oils. Higher temperatures generally increased yield but negatively affected quality.

What are some recommendations for improving essential oil extraction quality and yield?

Recommendations include exploring alternative drying methods like oven or freeze drying, and implementing pre-treatment methods for wax removal, such as cryogenic freezing, ethanol soaking, and microwave-assisted pre-treatment.