Fractionation of acid lime essential oil using ethanol/water mixtures: Effect of the process on the aroma profile

Author(s)

Goncalves, Daniel ; Costa, Patricia ; Rodrigues, Christianne E. C. ; Rodrigues, Alirio E.

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL THERMODYNAMICS; v. 108, p. 118-126, MAY 2017.
• Web of Science Citations: 6

Abstract

This study aims to separate aroma-active components of the crude Citrus latifolia essential oil (EO) from the unstable terpene hydrocarbons using ethanol/water mixtures through liqUid-liquid equilibrium (LLE) and to evaluate the aroma profiles of the crude EO and the LLE phases. For this purpose, the liquid compositions of the crude EOs and the LLE phases were found by gas chromatography analysis. The compositions of the liquid phases were predicted using the NRTL model and compared to the experimental data. Afterwards, the concentrations of the components in the vapour phases above the liquid mixtures were obtained by headspace analysis and the odour intensity of each component was estimated using the Stevens' power law concept. Finally, the classification into olfactory families was evaluated through the Perfumery Radar methodology:The solvent extraction technique made it possible to obtain extract phases enriched in citral and poor in monoterpenes, with aromas profiles similar to that of the crude EO and classified as herbaceous and citrus scent, with floral, woody, and oriental nuances. The extract phase obtained from ethanol with 50% water was found to be a promising fraction for industrial applications. Furthermore, the results proved that the NRTL parameters can be efficiently used to predict the compositions of the phases from the LLE. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 13/11150-3 - Citrus essential oils fractionation using ethanol with different water contents as solvents: phase equilibrium, physical properties and continuous equipment extraction
• Grantee: Daniel Gonçalves
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 11/02476-7 - Essential oils deterpenation by solvent extraction: experimental study and process simulation
• Grantee: Christianne Elisabete da Costa Rodrigues
• Support type: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 15/06162-8 - Prediction of flavor characteristics of the phases from citrus essential oils fractionation using ethanol and water mixtures as solvents
• Grantee: Daniel Gonçalves
• Support type: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate