Comparison on different extraction methods for the optimal conditions under which melaleuca alternipolia essential oil in a pacial cleansing paste is developed
Abstract
Tea tree oil or Melaleuca alternifolia essential oil comes from the leaves and terminal branches grown in Binh Phong Thanh Village, Moc Hoa District, Long An Province. The Melaleuca alternifolia essential oil was extracted by a conventional technique (hydro-distillation) and a modern technique (microwave-assisted extraction). Extraction process parameters were studied consisting of size and moisture of plant materials, amount of water, time and temperature. The components of essential oil were identified by gas chromatography – mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The results showed that the optimal conditions for hydro-distillation and microwave-assisted extraction were the whole fresh leaves and water with 1:6 ratio at 100oC within 110 minutes and the 1:7 ratio at 110oC within 90 minutes, respectively. The average productivity of Melaleuca alternifolia essential oil was 2.735±0.08992% (conventional method) and 1.487±0.02117% (modern method). Although Melaleuca alternifolia essential oil of the two methods also had high antioxidant and antimicrobial activities, microwave-assisted extraction was more superior. The refractive index of the yield from microwave-assisted extraction was better than other remaining method. From above findings, a facial cleansing paste was developed of which the viscosity value was 5370 mPas. The result collected from this project is expected to help Vietnamese scientists find a new application for Melaleuca alternifolia, confirm and increase the economic value of this tree in Vietnam.
Key words: essential oil, Melaleuca alternifolia, hydro-distillation, microwave-assisted extraction, gas chromatography – mass spectrometry, antimicrobial activities, antioxidant activities, refractive index, facial cleansing paste and viscosity value