Optimization of Microwave Hydro-Distillation from Lemongrass Leaves (Cymbopogon Nardus) by Response Surface Methodology
Yeni Variyana (a), Mahfud Mahfud (a*), Zuhdi Ma-sum (a), Bahar Ilman Ardianto (a), Lubna Putri Syahbana (a), Donny Satria Bhuana (a)
a) Department of Chemical Engineering, Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember
Sukolilo, Surabaya 60111, Indonesia
*mahfud[at]chem-eng.its.ac.id
Abstract
Essential oil of lemongrass (Cymbopogon nardus) or Citronella oil is widely used in industry, especially pharmaceuticals and perfumes. The microwave assisted method was successfully applied in extracting fragrant essential oils on a laboratory scale of extraction, namely Microwave Hydrodistilation (MHD). MHD is a combination of hydrodistillation with microwave for extraction. The purpose of this research was to study several effects parameters (material size, ratio of feed to solvent volume and microwave power) on the yield of citronella oil obtained by the MHD method and to find optimal conditions using Response Surface Methodology (RSM). The results showed that the smaller size of the material, the lower the yield of oil obtained. Then, the smaller ratio of feed to solvents in the MHD method results in higher yields. While the greater the power, the higher the yield produced. The highest yield obtained for extraction using the MHD method are the material size of 0.5 cm, power 800 W and the mass ratio of feed to solvent volume 0.2 g/ml of 1.673% ± 0.0085%.
Keywords: Citronella oil; Cymbopogon nardus; Extraction; Microwave Hydro-Distillation
Topic: Chemical Engineering