Extraction of Essential Oil From Plant to Bottle
Essential oils are hydrophobic liquids that are distilled from the seeds, roots, bark, flowers and other parts of the plant that are valued for their aromatic, flavoring, medicinal, antiseptic, antiviral and more properties. They are a highly concentrated form of the plant, and extracting them requires careful attention to safety and quality. This article will explore the extraction process of essential oil from plant to bottle, including the three main extraction methods: steam distillation, cold pressing and supercritical CO2 extraction.
Steam Extraction of Essential Oil from Plant to Bottle involves passing a stream of live steam over the plant material, which causes it to vaporize. The vapor passes through a condenser, where two separate pipes allow the hot steam to exit and cool water to enter, turning it back into a liquid. The resulting aromatic by-product drops off into a separator container, where the essential oil is collected and stored.
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The next step in the process is a rigorous inspection of the oil. This includes testing by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. Once the oil has passed all tests, it is prepared for packaging. The final product is bottled in dark or amber bottles to protect the oil from light and other contaminants, then shipped to markets across the globe.
Because of the potent and volatile nature of many essential oils, it’s important to work in a well-ventilated area, and consider using gloves and eye protection. Some of these plants can also be irritants. It is also a good idea to test any raw materials on a small sample of the oil before proceeding with the full process.…