Abstract
Objective: Optimum condition for the extraction of citronella oil from citronella (Cymbopogon winterianus) using supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO2) was investigated.Methods: In order to determine the optimum extraction condition, a Taguchi experiment with L9 orthogonal array design was used. Effects of pressure, temperature and dynamic extraction time on citronella oil yield were investigated at levels ranging between 10-15 MPa, 35-45 °C and 60-180 min, respectively.Results: The highest citronella oil yield (3.206%) was achieved at a factor combination of 15 MPa, 50 °C and 180 min. The obtained citronella oil yield from SC-CO2 extraction was higher than that of percolation as the solvent extraction method using ethanol, which gave a citronella oil yield of 1.4%. The experimental oil yield at optimum condition was in accordance to the values predicted by a computational process using Taguchi method. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) with 95% confidence interval indicates that extraction temperature is the most significant factor in maximizing citronella oil yield, followed by dynamic extraction time and pressure.Conclusion: Optimization process for oil yield from SC-CO2extraction of citronella (Cymbopogon winterianus) was successfully performed using Taguchi L9 orthogonal array design. This study demonstrates that Taguchi method was able to simplify the experimental procedure of SC-CO2 process.
Highlights
Citronella is a plant originated from India and Sri Lanka which belongs to the genus Cymbopogon
Based on experimental designs in the framework of Taguchi method and according to the array and orthogonal L9, and considering the change of condition and different parameters which consisted as pressure (P), temperature (T) and dynamic extraction time (t), 9 experiments were performed in the present study
Summary of SC-CO2 experiments using Taguchi method is shown in table 3
Summary
Citronella is a plant originated from India and Sri Lanka which belongs to the genus Cymbopogon. This plant is commonly found growing wild in most tropical Asian, American and African countries [1]. Oil of citronella is one of the most important essential oils obtained from different species of aromatic grasses. This oil is mainly used as a source of important perfumery chemicals due to its citronellal and geraniol contents, which are extensively used in soap, perfumery, cosmetic and flavouring industries throughout the world. Citronella oil can be used effectively as a plant-based insect repellent. The oil has been known to possess antimicrobial, anthelmintic, antiparasitic, anti-inflammatory, anticonvulsant, antispasmodic and antioxidant properties [2]
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