Essential oil extraction from clove, characterization and application

Eugenol, a beneficial nutraceuticals majorly (80-90%) found in clove, has diverse applications due to its antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. Clove is quickly engrossed by diverse organs to metabolize in the liver. To prevent premature absorption and improved activity, water solubility, encapsulation of eugenol is the best solution. Maceration and Soxhlet were performed using ethanol, methanol and water as a solvents. Extracted clove essential oil were successfully encapsulated in gelatin hydrogel. The Soxhlet extraction method had the highest yield (44 ± 0.023) as compared to maceration. Encapsulation efficiency of Clove essential oil in gelatin hydrogel was 84.65 ± 0.12%. Characterization of hydrogel was done using FTIR, SEM and XRD and inclusion of Clove essential oil in hydrogel was established. The radical scavenging activity of Clove essential oil loaded hydrogel enhanced by 57%. (17 ± 0.3) mm and (15 ± 0.2) mm the zone of inhibitions were expressed in terms of gram negative bacteria E. coli. and gram positive bacteria S. aureus. When Clove essential oil incorporated hydrogel was coated on apples via the methods like dipping, brushing, coating was able to enhance the shelf life of fruits as active food packaging material.