Extraction and Formulation of Perfume from Lemongrass
Abstract
Perfume extraction is the extraction of aromatic compounds from raw materials, using methods such as distillation, solvent extraction etc. The extracts are essential oils, absolutes, butters, depending on the amount of waxes in the extracted product. Here,in this work solvent extraction, Enfleurage method, hydrodistillation and steam distillation methods were used to extract essential oil from lemongrass leaves. Distillation based recovery processes such as steam and vacuum distillation are preferred for the extraction of essential oils from plant materials. Other methods include solvent extraction, expression or enfleurage. In the present work, four methods are used for oil extraction namely solvent extraction, hydrodistillation and enfleurage. By using solvent extraction, 2.07% yield of essential oil was obtained. In enfleurage method, we obtained 1.957% oil yield. 0.946% yield of oil was obtained by hydro distillation process. The steam distillation process gave 0.70% yield of oil. From the analysis solvent extraction gave the highest yield because of the less exposure air and heat and this confirm the literature value. The extracted essential oil was formulated into perfume using a fixative and carrier solvent.
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Introduction
The problem of perfume extraction process is the distortion of the odor of the aromatic compounds obtained from the raw materials. This is due to heat, harsh solvents and also through the exposure to oxygen which will denature the aromatic compounds. These will either change their odor, character or render them odorless. The problem of formulation of perfume involves knowing the proportion in which essential oil, and other materials to be mixed to avoid skin irritation and increase the intensity and longevity of the perfume. Most imported perfumes are synthetic odorant which are not pure chemical substance but are mixture of organic compounds that are harmful when applied. There are limited perfume plants, from which perfume can be made; this can lead to importation of perfume thereby causing the decline of foreign reserves and unemployment.
This project focuses on the production of perfumes from natural/plant sources as against synthetic chemicals thereby will reduce any side effect resulting from synthetic chemicals.
This project work is on how perfumes are extracted and formulated from lemongrass. It further entails; the synthetic and aromatic sources of perfumes. The composition of perfumes and its concentration. The extraction methods and formulation process involved .The economic importance of lemongrass and the uses of lemongrass oil in perfume production process.
Conclusion
The experiment was carried out for the extraction of essential oil from lemongrass. Analyses carried out were to determine the various oil yields using different extraction methods and the formulation of perfume with the essential oil produced. The result from the experiment yielded more with solvent extraction, followed by the effleurage method and the hydro distillation method. The extraction of essential oils by distillation is governed by the sensitivity of the essential oil to the action of heat, water and alcohol. All these methods of extraction are special type of separation process used for heat sensitive materials like essential oils, resins, hydrocarbons, etc. which are insoluble in water and may decompose at their boiling point. The temperature of the steam must be high enough to vaporize the essential oil present, yet not destroy or burns the essential oils. In summary these methods used chemical engineering unit operations of leaching, liquid-liquid extraction and evaporation techniques.