Estudo dos óleos essenciais de origem vegetal : óleo essencial de E. camaldulensis

Abstract

The present work deals with the study of essential oils of vegetal origin. For this purpose, the recommended objectives were the survey of plants rich in essential oils; selection of those that, due to their commercial and/or industrial value, have been a center of attention and that present good yields; conducting studies on essential oil extraction processes and standardizing methods for evaluating their content in plants; testing the medicinal properties of these oils and studying the possibilities of their application in the local industry. From the survey carried out, the species E. camaldulensis of the Myrtaceae family was selected for the study, as it meets the previously established requirements. From February to June 1995, 200 samples of young Eucalyptus camaldulensis leaves were randomly collected in plastic bags from four eucalyptus trees aged 2, 5, 7 and 11 years. Harvesting took place in Michafútene, on plantations belonging to the INIA's F.O-2 project. The optimum distillation time, the optimum temperature of the cooling water as well as the yield were determined experimentally, using drag distillation with water vapor in an apparatus of the CLEVENGER type; the refractive index of the oil obtained was also determined. The method used for the refractive index is recommended by the “International Organization for Standardization”, ISO. From the analyzed samples it was found that the average time of distillation of E. camaldulensis leaves is 55 minutes. The observed yields were 0.97 ± 0.10, 1.09 ± 0.05, 1.26 ± 0.08 and 1.28 ± 0.05 for trees with 2, 5, 7 and 11 years, respectively. The mean value of the refractive index was 1.4656. The results obtained allow us to conclude that the time required for all the essential oil to be completely extracted from the leaves of E. camaldulensis using drag distillation with water steam using a Clevenger-type apparatus is 55 minutes. The refrigeration temperature (10 to 25°C) does not produce appreciable variation on the essential oil yield. According to the ANOVA (“ANALYSIS OF VARIAANCE”), there is a significant difference between the four average values ​​of income, with an increase in this with increasing age. It is noteworthy, however, that the age factor interacts with others and together lead to the differences observed (TRADUÇÃO NOSSA)