Extraction of essential oil from cinnamon (Cinnamomum burmannii) bark using microwave assisted extraction method

Abstract

Abstract Cinnamon is one of the essential commodities that is very prospective and rich in benefits. The demand for cinnamon bark essential oil is always increasing every year. This condition indicates that the potential utilization of cinnamon bark essential oil is still wide open along with the development of the food, cosmetic and drug industries. The goal of this research is to extract the essential oil from cinnamon bark using Microwave Assisted Extraction (MAE) method, as well as to determine the best operation condition that can result the optimum yield of essential oil. This research was carried out with a variation of solvents of aquadest, 70% ethanol and ethyl acetate; variations of microwave power of 180, 300 and 450 W; and variations in extraction time of 60, 75 and 90 minutes. The results showed that the best solvent for extracting cinnamon bark essential oil was 70% ethanol. Furthermore, the best operating conditions were obtained using a microwave power of 300 W and an extraction time of 90 minutes, with an essential oil yield of 6.92 %. The physical properties of the essential oil obtained are a density of 1.1041 g/mL; refractive index 1.416; pH 6, light yellow color and a distinctive cinnamon aroma.