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Abstract
Solvent-free microwave extraction (SFME) is a combination of microwave heating and
dry distillation, performed at atmospheric pressure without added any solvent or water.
Isolation and concentration of volatile compounds are performed by a single stage.
SFME has been compared with a conventional technique, hydro-distillation (HD), for
the extraction of essential oil from three aromatic herbs: basil (Ocimum basilicum
L.), garden mint (Mentha crispa L.), and thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.). The essential
oils extracted by SFME for 30min were quantitatively (yield) and qualitatively (aromatic
profile) similar to those obtained by conventional hydro-distillation for 4.5 h. The
SFME method yields an essential oil with higher amounts of more valuable oxygenated
compounds, and allows substantial savings of costs, in terms of time, energy and plant
material. SFME is a green technology and appears as a good alternative for the extraction
of essential oils from aromatic plants.