Study the Quantity and Quality of Cumin Seed Essential Oil Extraction with a Modified Steam Extraction System

Essential oils are widely used across multiple industries, including cosmetics, personal care, and aromatherapy, pharmaceuticals, and food flavorings. Since extraction methods critically influence essential oil quality, steam distillation remains the most common approach. In this study, an innovative steam distillation aparatus and conventional hydro-distillation device (Clevenger) were compared to investigate their effects on the yield and quality of cumin seed (Cuminum cyminum L.) essential oil. Extraction duration (۶۰, ۹۰, and ۱۲۰ min) and steam temperature (۱۰۰, ۱۱۰, and ۱۲۰℃) were selected as independent variables and analyzed via Response Surface Methodology (RSM). The results showed that increasing the extraction time significantly enhanced the essential oil yield, reaching a maximum of ۱.۸% at ۱۲۰ min—an ۱۱.۶% improvement over the best yield obtained using the Clevenger apparatus. Gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) identified ۲۲ compounds, with β-pinene, p-cymene, γ-terpinene, cumin aldehyde, α-terpineol-۷-al, and γ-terpinene-۷-al collectively accounting for over ۹۴% of the total essential oil. In essential oil extraction using a modified steam distillation system, increased extraction temperatures elevated β-pinene and p-cymene percentages, while lower temperatures favored higher cumin aldehyde and γ-terpinene-۷-al percentages. The optimal temperature for obtaining more cumin aldehyde was found to be at ۱۰۰℃.

کلیدواژه ها:

Extraction efficiency ، Medicinal plants ، Superheated steam ، processing