deadpool
Harmless
Posts: 21
Registered: 13-3-2014
Member Is Offline
Mood: No Mood
|
|
Essential Oil steam Distallation kits hocus?
Hello,
I've seen many of these on ebay and amazon ( http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/152029220901?lpid=82&chn=ps... ) yet I'm a bit confused as to why this set in particular is so popular or if it
would even be efficient given other methods. Steam distillation from my understanding separates immiscible oils from water (or some other compound),
then liquid extraction is used. Couldn't you just blend plant material then filter on the frit finishing with liquid liquid extraction? or perhaps
use another solvent that is miscible ( say ethanol) then do vacuum distillation? or a combination. I have a yard full of chocolate mint and oregano
 Other thoughts please I'm curious.
soxhlet extraction with correct solvent would seem to be a superior method perhaps i'm wrong in thinking this.
[Edited on 13-5-2016 by deadpool]
|
|
|
zed
International Hazard
Posts: 2283
Registered: 6-9-2008
Location: Great State of Jefferson, City of Portland
Member Is Offline
Mood: Semi-repentant Sith Lord
|
|
Well, I've done steam distillations, but I have never used a device like that. It ain't standard. At least, not for chemists.
But, I did find a picture, revealing the manner of the devices use.
https://www.google.com/search?q=steam+distillation+apparatus...
http://www.heartmagic.com/EssentialDistiller.html
[Edited on 14-5-2016 by zed]
[Edited on 14-5-2016 by zed]
|
|
|
macckone
Dispenser of practical lab wisdom
Posts: 2168
Registered: 1-3-2013
Location: Over a mile high
Member Is Offline
Mood: Electrical
|
|
These are primarily for volatile oils in plant material.
For non-volatile oils you want a soxhlet extraction.
|
|
|
deadpool
Harmless
Posts: 21
Registered: 13-3-2014
Member Is Offline
Mood: No Mood
|
|
Thanks
Thanks guys for the info, I guess I was just wondering what would be best & if this process is even worth it. Guess It really depends on what
your trying to extract.
I took some of my mint blended it with ethanol, filtered it and distilled it. To my surprise the alcohol distillate was extremely minty, like ice
breaker gum (to almost numbing the tounge) but had no mint smell at all. In the boiling flask I had a mess of chlorophyll and small plant material
and a very strong mint smell (just like candy canes on Christmas) but the flavor wasn't as strong. I suspect two there was a separation of two
different volatile mint chemicals perhaps menthol & menthyl acetate. I will keep the alcohol extraction or take a shot I'm not sure.
|
|
|
XeonTheMGPony
International Hazard
Posts: 1640
Registered: 5-1-2016
Member Is Offline
Mood: No Mood
|
|
Quote: Originally posted by deadpool  | Thanks guys for the info, I guess I was just wondering what would be best & if this process is even worth it. Guess It really depends on what
your trying to extract.
I took some of my mint blended it with ethanol, filtered it and distilled it. To my surprise the alcohol distillate was extremely minty, like ice
breaker gum (to almost numbing the tounge) but had no mint smell at all. In the boiling flask I had a mess of chlorophyll and small plant material
and a very strong mint smell (just like candy canes on Christmas) but the flavor wasn't as strong. I suspect two there was a separation of two
different volatile mint chemicals perhaps menthol & menthyl acetate. I will keep the alcohol extraction or take a shot I'm not sure.
|
That is how I do most my plant oil extractions. All so I forgot to say I do it under vacuum to cold distill it. Keeps the more volatile oils intact.
[Edited on 15-5-2016 by XeonTheMGPony]
|
|
|
Nicodem
|
Thread Moved
15-5-2016 at 03:01 |
![[*]](images/xpblue/default_icon.gif){kind=icon}
