Assessing the kinetic model on exraction of essential oil and chemical composition from orange pells (Citrus sinensis)

Abstract

This study aims to model the kinetic of the hydro-distillation of orange peels (Citrus sinensis) to understand and optimize the extraction process. In addition, this study, for the first time, aims to determine the chemical composition of orange peel oil. By accessing both first-order kinetic model and the model of simultaneous washing and diffusion, the result indicated that the model of simultaneous washing and diffusion better describes the hydro-distillation mechanism of the essential oil from orange peel. The optimum time, the water-to-material ratio and the heat level for extracting the highest amount of essential oil were found to be around 80 minutes, 3:1ml/g and 60%, respectively. Yellow essential oil with strong odor and yield at 2.3% (v/w) was extracted by hydro-distillation Clevenger apparatus. In addition, orange peel oil obtained under optimal conditions got its components analysed by GC-MS. the main component (98.343%) of the essential oil is limonene, which can increase the commercial value of essential oils in Vietnam.