Comparison of the Microwave-Assisted Hydrodistillation with the Traditional Hydrodistillation Method in the Extraction of Essential Oils from Ferulago angulata (Schelcht.) Boiss

Aims: The evaluation of the chemical constituents and the percentages of extracted volatile oils from the aerial parts of Ferulago angulata (Scheleht.) Boiss (Apiaceae) by using MAHD and HD.
Study Design: Extraction of essential oils from F. angulata through traditional hydrodistillation (HD) and microwave- assisted hydrodistillation (MAHD) methods.
Place and Duration of Study: Fresh F. angulata was collected from the Dalaho Mountain- Kermanshah province (west of Iran) in June 2010.
Methodology: The aerial parts of F. angulata was extracted through microwave-assisted hydrodistillation (MAHD) protocol and compared to the conventional hydrodistillation (HD) method.
Results: The optimal extraction conditions for the extraction of cis and trans-β- ocimene by MAHD was as follows: Irradiation power 600 and 650W for Z- and E-β- ocimene respectively at radiation time of 34 min. The essential oil was analyzed by GC and GC/Mass. The 28 and 18 components have been identified in MAHD and HD methods at 34 min and 4h respectively. The final amount of yield in the MAHD was more than the amount extracted by HD (93.54% compare to 75.8). The major components, which were found in aerial parts, were E- and Z-β- Ocimene by both methods.
Conclusion: We found yield/ efficiency, chemical composition, quality of the essential oils and cost the operation MAHD was superior in terms of saving energy and extraction time.