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Kasetsart J. (Nat. Sci.) 43 : 204 - 211 (2009)
1Herb and Biodiverstiy Technology Unit, KAPI, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, Thailand.
2Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, Thailand.
3Department of Product Development, Faculty of Agro-Industry, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, Thailand.
*Corresponding author, e-mail: aappsr@ku.ac.th
Extraction Methods for Tuberose Oil and
Their Chemical Components
Prapassorn Rakthaworn1*, Uraiwan Dilokkunanant1,
Udomlak Sukkatta1, Srunya Vajrodaya2, Vichai Haruethaitanasan3,
Potechaman Pitpiangchan1 and Putthita Punjee 1
ABSTRACT
The objectives of the project were to compare essential oil extraction methods from the double-
flower variety of tuberose (Polianthes tuberosa L.). The flowers were extracted by cold or hot enfleurage,
or by solvent extraction with hexane or petroleum ether. The chemical composition of the tuberose
absolutes was analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The results showed that
percentage yields of tuberose oil from cold enfleurage, hot enfleurage, hexane and petroleum ether
extractions were 0.3137%, 6.5808%, 0.0279% and 0.0182%, respectively. The main chemical component
detected in both enfleurage absolutes was methyl benzoate, while benzyl benzoate and pentacosane
were found to be the main chemical components in hexane and petroleum ether absolutes, respectively.
Key words: Polianthes tuberosa L., essential oil, absolute, distillation, enfleurage, solvent extraction,
chemical component
INTRODUCTION
The tuberose, Polianthes tuberosa L., is
a tuberous perennial plant with a waxy, luminous
white flower in the family Agavaceae. Its flower
odor is very sweet, floral and honey-like and can
help give emotional strength and center the mind.
It is known to improve an individual’s capacity
for emotional depth and can stimulate the right
side of the brain and bring serenity to the mind
and heart. It also contains anti-inflammatory and
antispasmodic properties (Maliga, 2003).
Tuberose flowers have long been used
in perfumery as a source of essential oils and aroma
compounds. These aromatics are synthesized in
various plant organelles and as plant protection
against herbivores and infection, as well as to
attract pollinators (Dudareva and Negre, 2005).
At present, the demand for volatile oil is
expanding. Essential oils can be extracted using a
variety of methods, such as hydro distillation and
solvent extraction, although some are not
commonly used today, such as cold and hot
enfleurage extraction (Maliga, 2003).
The objectives of this work were to use
tuberose flowers to compare the scent, percentage
oil yield and chemical component of tuberose
absolutes obtained by cold or hot enfleurage
extraction and by solvent extraction using hexane
or petroleum ether.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Flower preparations
Tuberose panicles were cut-off and put
into a water tank to keep the flowers fresh. Freshly
opened blossoms were collected every day, and
weighed and subjected to extraction.
Extraction methods
Enfleurage: Cold and hot enfleurage
processes were used in the tuberose oil extraction.
In cold enfleurage, palm wax was heated to 80°C
for 2 h and poured into rectangular glass trays,
with 100 ml/tray. After the palm oil had cooled
down and turned to wax at room temperature,
tuberose flowers were put on the wax in each tray
and covered with another waxed tray. The flowers
were replaced with fresh flowers every 24 h. Six
pairs of the trays with 1,000, 1,500, 2,000, 2,500,
3,000 and 3,500 g of tuberose flowers were studied
as shown in Table 1. The floral scents in the wax
(pomade) were extracted by ethanol and the
ethanol was evaporated leaving the absolute de
enfleurage behind. In hot enfleurage, tuberose
flowers were put into 400 ml palm oil, which was
warmed at 60°C. The flowers were warmed for
30 min and cooled down at room temperature.
After leaving overnight at about 8-10°C, the palm
oil was warmed up to 60°C again and the previous
flowers were filtered out and replaced with new
flowers. The steps were repeated using 300, 400,
500, 600, 700 and 800 g of flower in each
treatment. The flower scent was extracted from
the pomade by the same method used for the
enfleurage extraction (Gupta, 1952).
Solvent Extraction: Hexane and
petroleum ether were used to extract the scents
from tuberose flowers because they are strongly
non-polar solvents and are frequently used in
solvents to extract oils. Six different weights of
100,150, 200, 250, 300 and 350 g of flowers were
soaked in 1 L of each solvent for 1 h. After
removing the debris, the solvents were evaporated
leaving the concrete behind. Tuberose absolute
was extracted from each concrete sample using
alcohol. Physical appearances, such as color, odor
and other characteristics were observed for all
extracts. Yields of extracts from each method were
assessed, compared, and used to determine the
saturation point of fat, oil and solvent to absorb
the scent from the tuberose flowers.
Chemical composition analysis
Absolutes in petroleum ether and in
hexane 100 ppm were analyzed for their main
chemical components by a Shimadzu QP5050A
gas chromatography mass spectrometer.
Table 1 Tuberose flowers used in enfleurage extractions.
Extraction method Tuberose flower weight (g)
Treatment 1 Treatment 2 Treatment 3 Treatment 4 Treatment 5 Treatment 6
Cold enfleurage 1,000 1,500 2,000 2,500 3,000 3,500
(200 ml wax / treatment)
Hot enfleurage 300 400 500 600 700 800
(400 ml oil / treatment)
Table 2 Tuberose flowers used in solvent extractions.
Extraction method Tuberose flower weight (g)
Treatment 1 Treatment 2 Treatment 3 Treatment 4 Treatment 5 Treatment 6
Hexane extraction 100 150 200 250 300 350
Petroleum ether extraction 100 150 200 250 300 350
Kasetsart J. (Nat. Sci.) 43(5) 205
206 Kasetsart J. (Nat. Sci.) 43(5)
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Extractions
Enfleurage: Tuberose absolutes of both
cold and hot processes were similar in appearance;
they were sticky, waxy orange-brown oils. The
absolute from the cold extraction was lighter in
color than from the hot extraction. The saturation
point of palm stearin (cold enfleurage) and palm
oil (hot enfleurage) for the absorption of essential
oil from tuberose flowers was 2,500 g flower/200
ml palm wax and 500 g flower/400 ml palm oil,
respectively and the yield varied from treatment
to treatment (Figure 1) with average yields of
0.3137% and 6.5808%, respectively. However, it
has been noted that the saturation point of fat
depends on the essential oil content in the flowers
and properties of the fat (Pensuk et al., 2007).
The absolute yields from cold enfleurage
were less than those from hot enfleurage in all
treatments. This was probably due to the heat used
in the extraction process, as the wax was able to
extract a greater yield from tuberose petals than
in the cold process (Alchemy Works, 2007).
Moreover, absolutes from both methods contained
palm wax and palm oil, which was extracted by
ethanol used in the process. The wax was more
easily removed from the ethanol than the palm oil
(Pensuk et al., 2007), which may have caused the
difference in yields. However, the cold enfleurage
scent was more similar to that of a fresh tuberose
flower than the hot enfleurage absolute, because
tuberose oil is extremely delicate and thus, heating
the petals would destroy the most delicate
components (Handa, 2005). Cold enfleurage
absolute gave the scent most strongly reminiscent
of natural tuberose flowers and was safe for use;
it was appropriate for use in high-grade perfume
materials, However, enfleurage had the
disadvantage of being very labor-intensive and
expensive.
Solvent extraction: The concretes and
absolutes obtained from hexane and petroleum
ether extractions appeared similar. Concretes were
a yellow solid with a tuberose odor and absolutes
were brownish yellow with a strong tuberose scent.
The scent of tuberose absolute extracted from
petroleum ether was closer to that of natural
flowers than from hexane. The optimum amount
of 150 g flower/l for hexane and petroleum ether
extraction produced yields of 0.0279% and
0.0192%, respectively (Figure 2). Solvent
extraction was more cost-efficient than the
enfleurage process, and so was appropriate for
Figure 1 Yield of tuberose oil from cold (a) and hot (b) enfleurage extractions.
(a) Treatment 1 = 1000 g flowers/200 ml wax (b) Treatment 1 = 300 g flowers/400 ml oil
Treatment 2 = 1500 g flowers/200 ml wax Treatment 2 = 400 g flowers/400 ml oil
Treatment 3 = 2000 g flowers/200 ml wax Treatment 3 = 500 g flowers/400 ml oil
Treatment 4 = 2500 g flowers/200 ml wax Treatment 4 = 600 g flowers/400 ml oil
Treatment 5 = 3000 g flowers/200 ml wax Treatment 5 = 700 g flowers/400 ml oil
Treatment 6 = 3500 g flowers/200 ml wax Treatment 6 = 800 g flowers/400 ml oil
Kasetsart J. (Nat. Sci.) 43(5) 207
producing absolute on a pilot scale, but, this was
not considered the best method for the extraction
of essential oils, as the solvent was harmful and
could leave a residue behind that could cause
allergies and effect the immune system (Handa,
2005).
Chemical composition
Enfleurage: The chromatogram of the
cold enfleurage absolute detected 10 chemicals
(Figure 3 and Table 3), with the major components
being methyl benzoate (30.17%), benzyl benzoate
(23.64%), 7-decen-5-olide (13.33%) and methyl
salicylate (12.11%).
Ten chemical constituents were also
detected in the hot enfleurage absolute, with
methyl benzoate being the main component again,
but with a higher percentage yield (44.85%) than
in the cold enfleurage absolute. Moreover, (Z)-3-
hexenyl 2-oxopropanoate was a major component
(27.38%) only in the hot enfleurage absolute.
There were some differences in the chemical
composition between the cold and hot enfleurage
absolutes. However, methyl benzoate, methyl
salicylate and benzyl benzoate were found in both
absolutes. Among these components, methyl
benzoate was considered the major characteristic
of tuberose absolute, which is known as oil of
niobe and tuberose. It possesses a pleasant smell,
strongly reminiscent of the fruit and is mostly used
in perfumery (Reverchon and Poletto, 1996). The
results showed that temperature and the method
of extraction affected not only the chemical
composition of the absolutes, but also the
percentage yield.
Solvent extraction: Fourteen chemicals
were detected in the tuberose hexane absolute.
Benzyl benzoate (24.25%), pentacosane (19.23%)
and 7-decen-5-olide (14.96%) were the major
chemical components (Figure 5 and Table 5).
There were 14 chemicals identified in the
petroleum ether absolute. The main components
were pentacosane (29.44%), 7-decen-5-olide
(18.13%) and heptacosane (12.53%). However,
benzyl benzoate represented only 10.28% (Figure
6 and Table 6). Petroleum ether extracted more
wax, e.g. pentacosane and heptacosane, from plant
cells than hexane. Plant wax was located in the
cuticle of the epidermis. Some flowers such as
jasmine and tuberose contained scent in the flower
wax, which could be dissolved with some solvents
(Alchemy-works, 2007). If the wax content were
high, it would be difficult to obtain the essential
oil by distillation. In this case, extraction by
solvents extracted more oil resulting in the
tuberose scent of the petroleum ether absolutes
Figure 2 Tuberose concretes and absolutes obtained from hexane (a) and petroleum ether (b) extraction.
Treatment 1 = 100 g flowers/1,000 ml solvent Treatment 4 = 250 g flowers/1,000 ml solvent
Treatment 2 = 150 g flowers/1,000 ml solvent Treatment 5 = 300 g flowers/1,000 ml solvent
Treatment 3 = 200 g flowers/1,000 ml solvent Treatment 6 = 350 g flowers/1,000 ml solvent
208 Kasetsart J. (Nat. Sci.) 43(5)
Table 3 Chemical compositions of cold enfleurage absolute.
Peak No. Retention time (min) % Relative peak area Possible compounds
110.996 30.17 methyl benzoate
212.896 12.11 methyl salicylate
3 14.567 1.78 indole
414.818 1.47 (E)-citral
515.297 4.45 methyl anthranilate
616.021 1.80 methyl eugenol
717.306 8.83 (E)-methyl isoeugenol
8 17.373 13.33 7-decen-5-olide
920.755 2.43 (z)-beta-farnesene
10 21.943 23.64 benzyl benzoate
Figure 3 Chromatogram of cold enfleurage absolute.
Table 4 Chemical compositions of hot enfleurage absolute.
Peak No. Retention time (min) % Relative peak area Possible compounds
110.987 44.85 methyl benzoate
212.904 7.18 methyl salicylate
314.740 2.91 2,4-decadien-1-al
414.815 27.38 (Z)-3-hexenyl 2-oxopropanoate
5 15.736 4.15 1-tetradecene
617.300 1.78 (E)-methyl isoeugenol
7 17.374 3.35 (Z)-nerolidol
818.460 3.39 1-hexadecene
921.922 3.75 benzyl benzoate
10 23.119 1.26 2-heptadecanone
Figure 4 Chromatogram of hot enfleurage absolute.
Kasetsart J. (Nat. Sci.) 43(5) 209
Table 5 Chemical compositions of tuberose absolutes obtained by hexane extraction.
Peak No. Retention time (min) %Relative peak area Possible compound
114.804 3.70 (Z)-3-hexenyl 2-oxopropanoate
216.009 1.07 methyl eugenol
316.744 2.32 methyl isoeugenol
417.294 1.89 (E)-methyl isoeugenol
5 17.364 14.96 7-decen-5-olide
617.494 8.36 2,4,-di-tert-butylphenol
718.449 8.85 1-hexadecene
820.736 1.94 alpha-farnesol
921.901 24.25 benzyl benzoate
10 24.198 1.39 benzyl salicylate
11 26.245 4.96 ecosanol
12 32.440 2.47 tricosane
13 36.972 19.23 pentacosane
14 43.542 4.60 heptacosane
Figure 5 Chromatogram of tuberose hexane absolute.
being closer to natural flowers than from hexane
absolute. In the current study, most of the
chemicals identified in from both solvent
extractions were similar. However, some
chemicals in the tuberose absolutes from both
solvents were different; methyl anthranilate, 1-
tetradecene and (Z)-methyl isoeugenol were
detected only in the petroleum ether absolute,
while (Z)-3-hexenyl 2-oxopropanoate, 2,4,-di-tert-
butylphenol and ecosanol were detected only in
the hexane absolute. Several studies have shown
that the tuberose absolute contained many
chemical constituents, such as: benzyl benzoate,
(Z)–5–decen–4-oilde, (Z,Z)–6,9–dodecadien–4–
oilde, (Z)–6–dodecadien–4–oilde, eugenol,
farnesol, geraniol, hecogenin, methyl benzoate,
methylvanillin, nerol, (Z)–6–nonen–4–olide,
(Z)–5–octen–4–oilde, piperonal, tuberoholoside
and tuberolide (Nuntavan, 1996). Reverchon and
Poletto (1996) reported the main chemical
components of tuberose absolute from super
critical fluid extraction were: 1,8-cineole, methyl
benzoate, methyl salicilate, trans-methyl eugenol
and benzyl benzoate. Moreover, Jumras and
Possom (2003) reported tuberose oil chemical as
follows: methyl benzoate, methyl anthranilate,
benzyl alcohol, butyric acid, eugenol, nerol,
farnesol and geraniol.
210 Kasetsart J. (Nat. Sci.) 43(5)
CONCLUSIONS
The percentage yield of absolutes
obtained from cold enfleurage, hot enfleurage,
hexane and petroleum ether extractions were
0.3137%, 6.5808%, 0.0279%, and 0.0182%,
respectively. The main chemical component
detected in absolutes extracted by enfleurage was
methyl benzoate, while benzyl benzoate and
pentacosane were found to be the main chemical
components in absolutes extracted by hexane and
petroleum ether, respectively. The main chemical
components of absolute extracted by petroleum
ether were pentacosane, 7-decen-5-olide and
heptacosane, respectively. The main components
in cold enfleurage absolute were: methyl benzoate,
benzyl benzoate, 7-decen-5-olide and methyl
salicylate, respectively.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
This work was financially supported by
Kasetsart University Research and Development
Institute (KURDI) and Kasetsart Agricultural and
Agro-Industrial Product Improvement Institute
(KAPI).
LITERATURE CITED
Alchemy Works. 2007. Tuberose wax. High
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Dudareva, N. and F. Negre. 2005. Practical
applications of research into the regulation of
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Biol. 8: 113-118.
Figure 6 Chromatogram of tuberose absolute obtained from petroleum ether extraction.
Table 6 Chemical compositions of tuberose absolute obtained from petroleum ether extraction.
Peak No. Retention time (min) %Relative peak area Possible compounds
115.297 4.15 methyl anthranilate
2 15.741 0.98 1-tetradecene
316.022 1.89 methyl eugenol
416.757 4.85 methyl isoeugenol
517.117 0.96 (Z)-methyl isoeugenol
617.311 6.05 (E)-methyl isoeugenol
7 17.385 18.13 7-decen-5-olide
818.463 1.69 1-hexadecene
920.754 4.06 alpha-farnesol
10 21.935 10.28 benzyl benzoate
11 24.217 1.34 benzyl salicylate
12 32.462 3.65 tricosane
13 37.013 29.44 pentacosane
14 43.597 12.53 heptacosane
Kasetsart J. (Nat. Sci.) 43(5) 211
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