Extraction and parameter determination of essential oils from African Basil (mujaja) leaves
Abstract
In this report, extraction and parameter determination of essential oils from African Basil leaves was done.
African Basil is a perennial herb plant of lamiaceae family with a strong aromatic smell. The plant is a native of tropical countries of Africa and Asia where its used as aroma in tea,soup,and medicine. The aromatic smell is due to essential oils in the stem and leaves. Essential oil is a concentrated hydrophobic liquid containing volatile aroma compounds known as volatile oils and contain essence of fragrance. It can be extracted from leaves, barks,flowers and stem. Different methods can be used to extract such as distillation, solvent extraction, absolute oil extraction resin tapping and cold pressing however in this project, steam distillation extraction method was used to extract oils from leaves.