Improved hydrodistillation process using amphiphilic compounds for extraction of essential oil from java citronella grass

Amphiphilic compounds have the ability to alter the plant morphology which may improve the conventional process for isolating essential oil. In the present study, various hydrotropes, surfactants, ionic liquids, and sodium salt have been assessed in extracting essential oil from Cymbopogon winterianus grass using hydrodistillation. The highest yield (4.18%) of oil was attained using 5% NaCl solution without affecting the quality of oil. This approach has reduced the extraction time, which further reduced the utility consumption, power consumption, and carbon footprints. Moreover, incorporation of sonication has provided 4.08% yield in 15 min, thereby further improving the process.