A comparative study on distillation methods for oil content, chemical composition, yield and economics in Eupatorium adenophorum

Abstract

An experiment was conducted to assess oil content (%), chemical composition, oil yield and economics in An experiment was conducted to assess oil content (%), oil yield (kg/10q) and economic returns (Rs/10 q) in Eupatorium adenophorum via two different distillation methods: Hydro-steam and Steam distillation. Maximum oil content (0.23%) was achieved by Hydro-steam distillation method as compared to Steam distillation (0.18%). Further, Hydro-steam distillation (2.27 kg/10q) exceeded Steam distillation (1.82 kg/10q) in term of oil yield. The economic returns were also significantly higher for Hydro-steam distillations (Rs 10696.60/ 10 q) as compared to steam distillation (Rs.7376.40/10 q). Experimental finding reveals Hydro-steam distillation to be significantly better than Steam distillation in terms of oil content (%), oil yield (kg/10 q) and economic returns (Rs/ 10q). The suitability and feasibility of Hydro-steam distillation were found to be more appropriate under field/ farm conditions in comparison to Steam distillation. Further, the chemical compositions of essential oil via two different methods were largely similar. GC-MS analysis of the essential oil showed that the presence of p-cymene (12.87%), α-Phellandrene (9.35%), Cis-Cadin-4-en-7-ol (7.46%), Bornyl acetate (5.97%), Camphene (5.75%), g-patchoulene (5.18%), δ-2-carene (4.26%) as major constituents in steam distillation and p-cymene (11.31%), α -Phellandrene (7.92%), Cis-Cadin-4-en-7-ol (8.52%), Bornyl acetate (5.78%), Camphene (5.08%), g-patchoulene (4.40%), δ-2-carene (4.00%) in Hydro-steam distillation respectively.