Extraction of Basil Leaves Essential Oil using Microwave Assisted Hydrodistillation Method: Physical Characterization and Antibacterial Activity

Abstract

<p>Basil oil can be obtained from basil leaves by non-extraction methods, namely Microwave Assisted Hydrodistillation (MAHD). Therefore, this research aims to determine the yield percentage, essential oil composition by GC-MS, physical characteristics, and antibacterial activity of basil essential oil. The highest yield of 0.3076% was obtained at the optimum condition, which included a microwave power of 300 W, a mass-to-volume solvent ratio (F/S) of 0.75 g/mL, a raw material size of ± 1.75 cm, and an extraction time of 90 min. The results of the analysis of variance showed that all process parameters used had a significant effect on the yield obtained. Basil oil exhibited a larger inhibition zone against <em>Escherichia coli</em> bacteria (16.38 mm) which tended to be stronger than <em>Staphylococcus aureus</em> (5.95 mm) and was classified as moderate. The main components contained in the basil oil were E-Citral (46.79%) and Z-Citral (38.17%). The physical characteristic test showed that the basil oil was soluble in 96% ethanol after a ratio of 1:9, with 1 ml of basil oil compared to 9 ml of ethanol. The density of basil oil at 0.961 g/mL also complied with the standard value according to the Essential Oil Association (EOA) of <em>Ocimum basilicum</em> Essential Oil. These results showed revealed that the parameter analyzed using oil yields at operating conditions produced the most optimum yield value.</p>