The volatile oils identified as essential oils are strongly aromatic products of plant metabolism. Due to their therapeutic properties, these oils find extensive applications in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industry and the food industry. There are different volatile oil extraction methods and they have been selected according to the nature of the plant material and the properties of the oil.
Ways to Extract Volatile Oils
There are a number of methods used to extract volatile oils, the most common being steam distillation. Here are some of the common techniques:
Steam Distillation
👉Steam: The most common method of extraction for volatile oils. In the process, steam is passed through plant material to evaporate the essential oil. The steam and oil vapors then condense into a liquid where it is them collected and separated.
The primary apparatus used for steam distillation is the Clevenger apparatus, this enables the distillation and separation of water from the volatile oil in a continuous process, allowing the extraction of volatile oils to be performed at a lower boiling point.
Cold Press Extraction
The technique is mainly utilised for oil extraction from citrus essences. A process of pressing the plant material mechanically, without heat, to extract the essential oils while retaining the natural fragrance and benefits of the plant.
Solvent Extraction
For sensitive flowers that can get destroyed by high heat, solvent extraction is the process of choice. The plant material is dissolved in a solvent, and the solvent is later removed, leaving a concentrated volatile oil.
Enfleurage
In this traditional method, the flower petals are soaked in fat, which soaks up the essential oil. Alcohol is then added to the fat to extract the volatile oil.
Lab Glassware For Oil Extraction (Basic Items)
This article is an overview of extracting volatile oils by specialized laboratory glassware for precision extraction. A few must-have types of glassware include:
Burette in Chemistry
It is commonly used in titrations to deliver precise volumes of liquid. A burette is used in oil extraction as a solvent or reagent measurement tool.
Volumetric Flask
Volumetric flask : A type of volumetric glassware used in the preparation of solutions of accurately known volume. Even more so in quantitative chemical analysis, where accurate concentrations are paramount.
Clevenger Apparatus
Hydrodistillation is done using a Clevenger apparatus. This recycles the water while collecting the oils for a maximised yield.
Common Laboratory General Glassware
Goal 1: Equipment needed for extraction In addition to specialized equipment, general laboratory glassware such as beakers, pipettes, and graduated cylinders are used for measuring and handling liquids during the extraction process.
Types of Laboratory Glassware
Volumetric Glassware
Examples of this type include volumetric flasks, pipettes and burettes used for precise measurement in laboratory experiments.
General Glassware
The general class of glassware consists of beakers, test tubes, and conical flasks for mixing, heating, and storage of liquids.
Specialized Glassware
Specific chemical processes using volatile oil extraction include the Clevenger apparatus and Soxhlet extractors, which are labelled in this category.
Chemical Glassware Suppliers Companies in India
For high-quality laboratory glassware, a lot of chemical glassware suppliers offer an array of glass products. Whether it is the construction of top-notch glassware or precision lab devices, lab glassware assembling organizations in India spare no energy in assembling the best hardware. Borosil, Tarsons, and Glassco are some of the top suppliers.
Conclusion
Extracting volatile oils is an important process in different industries, necessitating precise techniques and high-quality laboratory glassware. From using steam distillation with a Clevenger apparatus to measuring solvents with a burette in chemistry, the correct equipment will ensure efficiency and accuracy of your results. Chemical glassware suppliers India and glassware companies provide you with all the tools you need to perform proper oil extraction. High-quality volumetric glassware and general glassware are important for oil extraction processes.