10/03/2021
Are you interested in the influence of distillation parameters on the composition of essential oils?
In the series, PhytoScience, One Article at a Time📄📊⚗, we present an article published by our associate scientist and expert in distillation Benoît Roger. In his article Benoît focused on the influence of time and wood chipping on the yield and composition of black spruce (Picea mariana Mill.) essential oil.
The highest difference in yield was observed after 1 hour of distillation: 117%. Largely because the diffusion of compounds out of plant tissue is longer in branches or wood. Also, the chipping process, by shortening the diffusion path and increasing the interaction with the medium, allows for higher proportion of volatile compounds to be extracted and distilled in shorter times.
Therefore, chipping could be used to reduce distillation time and increase yield. However, in the case of black spruce, it has a significant influence on the composition of the oil.
In our next post, we will tell you more about these variations.
Stay tuned!!
