Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 11, 2026
Microwave-Assisted Extraction of Phenolic Compounds and Antioxidants for Cosmetic Applications Using Polyol-Based Technology
Published on: August 23, 2024
Solvent-free microwave extraction : an innovative tool for rapid extraction of essential oil from aromatic herbs and
Marie E Lucchesi1, Farid Chemat, Jacqueline Smadja
1Laboratoire de Chimie des Substances Naturelles et des Sciences des Aliments Faculté des Sciences et Technologies, Université de la Réunion, 15 avenue René Cassin, B.P. 7151, F-97715 Saint Denis messag Cedex 9, La Réunion, France.
Abstract:
A relatively simple apparatus is described for extracting essential oils from aromatic plant material by atmospheric solvent-free microwave extraction (SFME) without the addition of any solvent or water. Isolation and concentration of volatile compounds were performed by a single stage. The product solutions of volatile compounds were directly analyzed by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The essential oils fiom aromatic herbs (basil, crispate mint, thyme) and spices (ajowan, cumin, star anise) extracted by SFME for 30 minutes and I hour, were similar to those obtained by conventional hydro-distillation (HD)for (respectively) 4 and 8 hours. Substantially higher amounts of oxygenated compounds and lower amounts of monoterpenes hydrocarbons are present in the essential oils of the aromatic plants extracted by SFME in comparison with HD. Solvent-free microwave extraction is clearly advantageous to conventional distillation in terms of rapidity, efficiency, cleanliness, substantial saving of energy, and is environmentally friendly.
