Extraction in chemistry is a separation process consisting in the separation of a substance from a matrix.

It includes Liquid-liquid extraction, and Solid phase extraction.

Components of an extractive process

Extractions often use two immiscible phases to separate a solute from one phase into the other.
Typical lab extractions are of organic compounds out of an aqueous phase and into an organic
phase. Common extractants are arranged from ethyl acetate to water (ethyl acetate < acetone <
ethanol < methanol < acetone:water (7:3) < ethanol:water (8:2) < methanol:water (8:2) < water)
in increasing order of polarity according to the Hildebrand solubility parameter. The extract can
be put back to dried form using a centrifugal evaporator or a freeze-drier.

Theory of an extraction between two phases

The distribution of a solute between two phases is an equilibrium condition described by
partition theory. This is based on exactly how the analyte move from the water into an organic
layer

Modern variations
Techniques include supercritical carbon dioxide extraction, ultrasonic extraction, heat reflux
extraction, microwave-assisted extraction, instant controlled pressure drop extraction (DIC), and
perstraction.
The genus Ocimum, (Lamiaceae formerly Labiatae), collectively called basil has long been recognized as a
diverse and rich source of essential oils (Table 1). Ocimum contains between 50 to 150 species of herbs
and shrubs from the tropical regions of Asia, Africa, and Central and South America (Bailey 1924, Hortus
III 1976, Darrah 1980). Plants have square stems, fragrant opposite leaves, and whorled flowers on
spiked inflorescences (Darrah 1980). Interspecific hybridization and polyploidy, common occurrences
within the genus, have created taxonomic confusion and challenges, yet very little has been published on
basil taxonomy which follows the International Code of Botanical nomenclature (Tucker 1986). The
morphological diversity within basil species has been accentuated by centuries of cultivation with great
variation in pigmentation, leaf shape and size, and pubescence. Taxonomy is further complicated by the
existence of chemotypes or chemical races within the species that do not differ significantly in
morphology.

Sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum L.), a common garden herb, is cultivated in the United States for culinary
purposes as a fresh herb and as a dried spice (Fig. 1). While there are many cultivars (Simon and Reiss-
Bubenheim 1987), little information is available on the essential oil compounds responsible for the
plant's flavor and fragrance.

The essential oils of basil extracted via steam distillation from the leaves and flavoring tops are used to
flavor foods, dental and oral products, in fragrances, and in traditional rituals and medicines (Guenther
1949, Simon et al. 1984). Extracted essential oils have also been shown to contain biologically-active
constituents that are insecticidal (Deshpande and Tipnis 1977, Chavan and Nikam 1982, Chogo and Crank
1981), nematicidal (Chatterjee et al. 1982), fungistatic (Reuveni et al. 1984) or which have antimicrobial
properties (Ntezurubanza et al. 1984). These properties can frequently be attributed to predominant
essential oil constituents, such as methyl chavicol, eugenol linalool, camphor, and methyl cinnamate.
Two minor components of the essential oil of sweet basil, juvocimene I and II, have been reported as
potent juvenile hormone analogs (Nishida et al. 1984).

There are several types of basil oil in international commerce, each derived principally from different
cultivars or chemotypes of sweet basil. The oils of commerce are known as European French or Sweet
Basil, Egyptian, Reunion or Comoro; and to a lesser extent Bulgarian and Java basil oils (Heath 1981). The
European type of basil oil considered to be the highest quality, and producing the finest odor,
characteristically contains: linalool; methyl chavicol; and to a lesser extent 1,8-cineole, alpha-pinene; -
pinene; myrcene; ocimene; terpinolene; camphor; terpinen-4-ol; alpha-terpineol; eugenol; and
sesquiterpenes (Guenther 1949; Simon et al. 1984). Egyptian basil oil of commerce is similar to European
basil oil except that the concentration of d-linalool is significantly lower while the concentration of
methyl chavicol is significantly higher (Fleischer 1981). In contrast, Reunion or Comoro basil oil contains
little if any d-linalool and is a harsher, spicy oil due to the very high concentration of methyl chavicol, and
to a lesser extent, 1,8-cineole, borneol camphor and eugenol (Lawrence et al. 1972 Simon et al. 1984).
Bulgarian and Java basil oils are rich in methyl-cinnamate and eugenol respectively (Heath, 1981).

Since 1984, we have been characterizing the chemical diversity of Ocimum spp. to identify chemotypes
of potential commercial interest. Genetic and breeding studies have been initiated to increase the total
essential oil content (concentration) of commercial basil chemotypes and to increase the content of
specific oil constituents in other chemotypes such as those high in methyl chavicol and methyl
cinnamate. A germplasm collection of basil (Ocimum spp.) consisting of more than 100 accessions from
the U
Some methods of extracting essential oils have been around for thousands of years while others are still
being proven. The section will give you an understanding of the different methods!

What are the Methods of Extracting Essential Oils?

There are many different ways to extract essential oils and they are listed below:

Enfleurage

Expressed Oils

Steam Distillation

Solvent Extraction

Fractional Distillation and Percolation

Carbon Dioxide Extraction

Phytonic Process

What is Enfleurage?

Enfleurage is one of the oldest methods of extracting essential oils and is rarely used these days because
of its high cost. It involves placing the flower petals on a layer of glass that is first spread with a thin layer
of fat called "chassis". The volatile oil diffuses into the fat, then the fat is collected and the oil is extracted
from the fat using alcohol.

Once the alcohol evaporates what is left behind is called the absolute. As you can imagine, this is a very
time consuming process, but it was the only way to extract delicate flowers like Jasmine for a very long
time!

What is Expression of Oils?

When oils are taken from the rind of fruits they are called "expressed oils". This method is cold and does
not involve any solvents or heat of any kind. Most of the citrus oils are extracted in this manner including
grapefruit, lime, orange and lemon essential oils.

These are not technically considered essential oils for this reason, but they are still definitely therapeutic
oils. The most important thing to consider with cold pressed oils is the source of the crop since citrus
fruits are constantly sprayed with pesticides and it can be very concentrated in the oil!

What is Involved in Steam Distilling Essential Oils?

Steam distillation has been used for hundreds of years and today remains one of the most favorably
methods of extracting essential oils. Technically speaking if it not extracted using steam distillation or
cold expression it is not a therapeutic grade essential oil.

There are actually three different steam processes that are described further in the distilling section. But
in all of the methods, steam is used to rupture the oil membranes in the plant and release the essential
oil.

The steam carries the essential oil to a condenser and then as it re-liquefies the lighter essential oil floats
on top. The water and oil is then separated and the water portion is referred to as the hydrosol, hydrolat,
or flower or floral water. And the oil portion, of course, is the essential oil!

The essential oil distilling equipment including the condenser, separator and cooking chambers can all
have an enormous impact on the quality of the oil. As well as, the distillation temperature and pressure!
And even if everything appears correct, the process can still produce oils that don't meet the AFNOR
Standards. So essential oil distillers must have the knowledge and expertise to know how to produce
therapeutic grade essential oils.

Are you interested in learning more about steam distillation? Then click here!

What is Solvent Extraction?

Solvent extraction is a method of extracting essential oils that is dominated by the perfume industry. And
technically does not produce therapeutic grade oils because chemicals such as hexane, acetone, di-
methylene-chloride and others are used in the process!

Did you know that the plant material is actually immersed into the solvents to become a thick substance
called "concrete"?

The oil particles are released when the concrete substance is then mixed with alcohol. Once it is
separated out, the chemicals remain in the oil and the oil is used by the perfume industry. These are
perfume or aromatherapy grade oils and are not therapeutic grade!

As you can see this is process requires far less time and expense because the oil is cut with solvents and
can increase the oil production volume significantly.

Are these the oils that are used in bath oils and gels, candles, shampoos, toothpaste, fly spray, and air