Effects of solvent-free microwave extraction on the chemical composition of essential oil of Calamintha nepeta (L.) Savi compared with the conventional production method

J Sep Sci. 2008 Apr;31(6-7):1110-7. doi: 10.1002/jssc.200700425.

Abstract

The essential oil of Calamintha nepeta has been obtained by solvent-free microwave extraction (SFME) and by classical hydrodistillation (HD). A comparative qualitative-quantitative study on the composition of the oils was carried out. A total of 38 compounds, constituting 97.6% of the oil, were identified in the oil obtained by SFME, whereas 46 compounds, representing 95.4% of the oil, were characterized in the HD oil. SFME-distilled oil is richer in lightly oxygenated monoterpenes (LOM) than HD oil. It also has a higher amount of sesquiterpenes and a lower quantity of hydrocarbon monoterpenes. HD oil seems to be affected by chemical changes more than SFME oil.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Lamiaceae / chemistry*
  • Microwaves*
  • Oils, Volatile / analysis*
  • Oils, Volatile / chemistry*
  • Plant Extracts / chemistry
  • Solvents
  • Temperature

Substances

  • Oils, Volatile
  • Plant Extracts
  • Solvents