Other
Methods of Extraction
CO2 EXTRACTION
The most recent method is that of the distinguished
carbon dioxide extraction. It employs a much lower temperature
than that of steam distillation. This process was to
introduce oils that remain close to the way they reside
in nature. This is primarily due to the inert nature
of the solvent and lower pressures. There is some disagreement
to this theory in that due to the acidic nature of CO2
one could argue it is disruptive to the chemistry of
the resultant oil. Whereas terpenes are often manufactured
through the methodology of distillation, a lower terpene
content is produced through a CO2 extraction, a higher
ester range is manufactured, and the addition of molecules
far to large to pass their way over through distillation
can be found. These findings confirm that the oil does
have more of the botanics inherent personality.
PHYTONIC EXTRACTION
This extraction employs a family of benign non-CFC gaseous
solvents, R134a, or refrigerant Hydroflurocarbon 134a,
now called ‘florasol’. Beginning to replace
CFC’s, chlorinated flurocarbons, in the early
1980’s it won the curiosity of the British microbiologist,
Dr. Peter Wilde. Dr. Wilde brought this process into
the spotlight of the essential oil manufacturing community,
inventing the innovative extraction method of Phytonic
Extraction. Being now in development over the past 10
years, the extracts were once called ‘phytols’,
then ‘phytosols’ and now referred to as
‘florasols’
BUTANE EXTRACTION
A rather new methodology developed and used by French
companies produces a ‘Butaflor’. Butane
is used as the solvent. One of the advantages in it’s
employment is that the boiling point is low and therefore
can be removed easily without much heat or a high vacuuming.
Unfortunately, the nature of Butane is caustic and makes
it highly flammable, difficult to work with and contributes
to the depletion of the ozone. Completely and utterly
environmentally undesirable.
ENFLEURAGE
Rarely applied to the Fragrant Essence trade today,
except in some unusual cases such as with Tuberose,
this remains the oldest truly ‘traditional’
methods of extraction. Once used to create treasured
pomades and floral ‘creams’, it is by far
the most laborious, expensive and time consuming extraction
method.
Sheets of glass are prepared by coating them with bland
warmed oils, fats, in particular cold fats such as lard,
or waxes. Once prepared the sheets of glass are gingerly
stacked one on top of another. Over a period of weeks
the flowers will deteriorate, and continually be replaced
by fresh blooms until a saturation level is reached.
The waxy infusion, now nearly 1% pure essential oil,
referred to as a ‘pomade’ is then collected
. The pomade is then subjected to an alcohol washing
to be shaken for several hours in order to remove the
essence from the fat at which time the alcohol will
be evaporated off leaving a pure enfleurage, often referred
to as the ‘absolute’. The yield of a enfleurage
is quite voluminous in comparison to a solvent extraction.
MACERATION
Whereas an extract employs alcohol this method requires
a ‘fatty’ base, such as a vegetable or nut
oil. It involves soaking the botanical materials in
the heated compound. The petals and leaves will soften
and the cellular structure will break down and release
their aromatic and therapeutic contents.
COLD-EXPRESSION
This method was once commonly referred to as ‘Scarification’
and employs pressure to the peel of Citrus fruits such
as Grapefruit, Lemon, Lime, Orange and Mandarin, and
results in puncturing and squeezing out the zest of
the peel. Then the peels are misted with a finite spray
of water. By these techniques a ‘cold’ method
of extraction is obtained. At one time the oil rich
rind of these fruits were squeezed by hand and collected
into a mighty sponge. Some of the Mediterranean oils
still use this age old method rather that relying on
reckless machines and the technology of centrifugal
force to do the work. Some fruits, such as bergamot,
have their peels separated and ‘cold pressed’.
Note: due to the enormous demand of Citrus extracts,
the quality available to the public today can be quite
objectionable. Many are an aftermath of major juice
manufacturers adding Citrus extracts as a side commodity
to their business -- after they have separated fruit,
pith and juice.
HYDROSOLS AND FLORAL WATERS
During the process of Steam Distillation, after the
steam has been passed through botanic material, condensed,
and the essential oil is removed, the by-product becomes
a ‘sweet water’ more commonly referred to
as a
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