HomeIngredientExtraction of essential oils from tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) and lemon grass (Cymbopogon citratus) using betaine-based deep eutectic solvent (DES)

Extraction of essential oils from tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) and lemon grass (Cymbopogon citratus) using betaine-based deep eutectic solvent (DES)

August 20, 2022

Phytochem Anal. 2022 May 12. doi: 10.1002/pca.3132. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: The essential oils of tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) leaves mainly contain eucalyptol, α-terpinene, γ $$ gamma $$ -terpinene, and terpinen-4-ol and have anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-infective, and anti-inflammatory actions. The essential oils of lemon grass (Cymbopogon citratus) leaves mainly contain neral, geranial, and geraniol and have anti-microbial and anti-fungal activities and hypocholesterolemic effect.

OBJECTIVES: The present study describes the use of low-toxicity solvents called betaine-based deep eutectic solvents (DESs) for efficient extraction of essential oils from tea tree and lemon grass. H2 O and EtOH were used for extraction as control methods.

METHODOLOGY: Quantitative analysis was performed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) in selected ion monitoring mode. Scanning electron micrography (SEM) and antioxidant assays for extracted samples were also conducted.

RESULTS: The results indicated that extraction for tea tree using betaine/sucrose (molar ratio 2:1) improved the yields of terpinolene and eucalyptol 2.5- and 1.9-fold, respectively, compared with the control method. In lemon grass, extraction using betaine/sucrose (molar ratio 2:1) improved the yields of neral and geranial 1.9- and 1.7-fold, respectively, compared with the control method.

CONCLUSION: These results demonstrated the effective extraction of essential oils from plant leaves under milder conditions than those needed for the conventional methods. The environmentally benign DESs for the extraction would be applicable to the food and cosmetic industries.

PMID:35557478 | DOI:10.1002/pca.3132

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About The Author

Patrick Blanchard MD

Meet Dr. Blanchard Dr. Blanchard’s medical practice is an embodiment of Integrative health which brings conventional and complementary approaches together in a coordinated way. Conveniently located in sunny Florida and over the internet with ValiseMD’s secure HIPPA compliant telXmed servers. Since 1994, patients with a wide range of challenging medical problems have achieved optimum health using the best of natural medicine, judiciously combined with high-tech innovations. Breakthroughs are often achieved even after patients have consulted mainstream specialists and holistic practitioners. Dr. Blanchard is founder and CEO of ValiseMD, Inc. He is board certified in Family Medicine since 1994 and awarded Fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians in 2001. He received the ‘Teacher of the Year’ award from the University of Kansas School of Medicine at completion of his residency in Family Medicine. He completed a fellowship at Wake Forest University in the field of vascular neurosonology. He holds a medical patent in the field of Gastroenterology. He holds an unrestricted license to practice medicine and surgery in Florida. He started his medical career as a Emergency Medical Technician, then as a Paramedic and later a Medical Doctor.