Avicenna J Med Biotech

arij002

Avicenna Journal of Medical Biotechnology

2008-2835 2008-4625

Avicenna Research Institute

ajmb300

Microwave-Assisted Hydro-Distillation of Essential Oil from Rosemary: Comparison with Traditional Distillation

Moradi

Sara

Animal Developmental Biology, Research Center for Animal Development Applied Biology and Department of Biology, Mashhad Branch, Islamic Azad University, Mashhad, Iran

Fazlalia

Alireza

Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

Hamedi

Hamid

Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Paramedical Sciences, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, IranStudent Research Committee, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran

10 1 22 28 28 8 2016 11 2 2017

Background: Hydro-distillation (HD) method is a traditional technique which is used in most industrial companies. Microwave-assisted Hydro-distillation (MAHD) is an advanced HD technique utilizing a microwave oven in the extraction process.  Methods: In this research, MAHD of essential oils from the aerial parts (leaves) of rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) was studied and the results were compared with those of the conventional HD in terms of extraction time, extraction efficiency, chemical composition, quality of the essential oils and cost of the operation.  Results: Microwave hydro-distillation was superior in terms of saving energy and extraction time (30 min, compared to 90 min in HD). Chromatography was used for quantity analysis of the essential oils composition. Quality of essential oil improved in MAHD method due to an increase of 17% in oxygenated compounds.  Conclusion: Consequently, microwave hydro-distillation can be used as a substitute of traditional hydro-distillation.