Essential oils are complex volatile aromatic compounds produced by plants mainly classified as terpenoids, benzenoids/phenylpropanes, and fatty acid derivates. These secondary metabolite act as protection against predators and pest, or in other words as immune system of the plant. Essential oil also used to attract to pollinators. Plants stored the aroma compounds in multiple organ such as the leaves, bark, root, rhizomes, flowers and fruits. The most conventional yet clean and effective method for producing high quality essential oil is by hydro distillation.
This display will showcase a set-up of mini hydro distillation apparatus. The process involves heating up plant materials immersed in water. The steam generated from boiling of the water carrying essential oils then cooled into condensate containing essential oils mixed in water. Essential oil will separate from water and then put in an airtight bottle. The components of the Clevenger Hydro distillation unit including a heater to heat up the water and plant material, a glass pot containing samples attached with a Dean-Stark apparatus or called a Clevenger arm and a condenser.
This laboratory display is for educational purposes to introduce the basic essential oil extraction technique.
