Optimisation of essential oil yield and zerumbone content in Zingiber zerumbet extract using hydrodistillation process

Abstract

The optimisation of zerumbone content in essential oil of Zingiber zerumbet was investigated using hydrodistillation extraction method. The extractions were carried out to identify the optimum condition of the processing parameters (solvent-to-solid loading ratio, particle size and time) on the essential oil and zerumbone recovery. The extraction variables (solvent-to-solid ratio, particle size and time), on the other hand, were optimised by central composite design. The optimum conditions of the Z. zerumbet essential oil extraction were at the solvent-to-solid loading ratio, 187 mL/10 g; particle size, 2,000 µm; and extraction time, 74.28 min, whereas the concentration of Z. zerumbet essential oil and zerumbone as high as 3.73 % and 1.58 % were obtained. Hence, the central composite design model can be used to predict the zerumbone content in essential oil extraction from Z. zerumbet in a hydrodistillation extraction system.