Abstract
Myrtus communis L. is one of the important aromatic and medicinal species from the Mediterranean area. It is used in various fields such as culinary, cosmetic, pharmaceutical, therapeutic, and industrial applications. Thus, a Box–Wilson experimental plan was used in this study to select the optimal operating conditions in order to obtain high volumes of essential oils. The factorial design method was applied to evaluate at an industrial scale the effect of major process variables on the essential oil extraction from Myrtus communis L. herbs by the steam distillation method. The input variables considered as significant operating conditions were: X1—boiler occupancy rate (boilers were filled to 50%, 75%, and 100%), X2—distillation duration (distillation was continued 60, 75, and 90 min), and X3—particle size (herbs were cut in sizes of 10, 20, and 30 mm via guillotine). The dependent variable selected, coded as Y, was the essential oil volume obtained (mL). The steps of the classical statistical experimental design technique were complemented with the Taguchi method to improve the extraction efficacy of essential oil from Myrtus communis L., and the optimum parameter conditions were selected: boiler occupancy rate 100%, distillation duration 75 min, and particle size 20 mm. Following the optimum parameters, the GC-MS assay revealed for the Myrtus communis L. essential oil two predominant components, α-pinene—33.14% and eucalyptol—55.09%.
Highlights
Myrtus communis L., known as Myrtle, is one of the important aromatic and medicinal species from the Mediterranean area [1]
The aim of this study was to select the optimal operating conditions in order to obtain high volumes of essential oils using a Box–Wilson factorial design complemented with response surface analysis and the Taguchi approach
To the best of our knowledge, in this study we investigated for the first time at an industrial scale the effect of major process variables on the volume of essential oil extracted from Myrthus communis L. herbs by steam distillation
Summary
Myrtus communis L., known as Myrtle, is one of the important aromatic and medicinal species from the Mediterranean area [1]. It is used in various fields such as culinary, cosmetic, pharmaceutical, therapeutic, and industrial applications [2,3,4]. Myrtus communis is an ancient sacred plant which was used in ceremonies and as a symbol of youth and beauty. It has been known to Persians, Greeks, and other civilized nations since ancient times and is native to South America, Australia, the north-western Himalayas, the Middle East, West Asia, North Africa, and the Zagros mountain range regions but was first introduced to the world by the British in 1597. Myrtus communis grows in Mediterranean countries along the coastline and inland hills in spruce and pine forests and near riversides and it is known as Myrtle, Hambeles, Mersin, and Murt [11]
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