Microwave-assisted extraction of lemongrass essential oil: Study of the influence of extraction method and process parameters on extraction process

Neeraj Singh, Prashant Shrivas

Abstract

In this study, essential oil of lemongrass was extracted by microwave-assisted hydrodistilation (MAHD) and Solvent free microwave extraction (SFME) method and the effects of individual process parameters; microwave power, irradiation time and sample particle size were evaluated. Results showed that oil yield increases with increasing microwave power, irradiation time and decreasing particle size. The maximum oil yield in MAHD was 1.72% for 90 minutes and 1.61% in SFME for 20 minutes of irradiation time. Longer irradiation time resulted in inferior quality of essential oil. Extraction using SFME was much faster than MAHD but slightly lower in essential oil yield. Solvent free microwave extraction resulted in significant reductionin extraction time and in better extraction efficiency as compared with microwave assisted hydrodistillation.