Abordagem ambiental aliada ao estudo da extração do óleo essencial de Pentacalia Desiderabilis (Velloso) Cuatrec. por arraste a vapor

Abstract

Due to the usual biological, antimicrobial and antioxidant activities, the essential oils have a potential interest in several industries as food, pharmaceutical, cosmetics, perfumery, hygiene and cleaning, in the manufacture of paints and in biological control of the agricultural pests. With the market’s growth, alternatives have been sought for economic and social development, while the nature is preserve in to keep natural resources available for the next generations. Aiming at further discussions on the theme environmental preservation, a theoretical and practical research was introduced through the essential oil extraction process of the aromatic plant Pentacalia desiderabilis (Velloso) Cuatrec., by obtaining and characterizing the product allied to proposals for the generated residues destination. In order, the extraction process was done with a pilot steam distillation unit at three different pressure conditions. After the extractive method, are produced: the essential oil and the liquid (aqueous extract and hydrolyzate) and solids (remaining aromatic plant) residues. Three mathematical models were tested to simulate the extraction process. The antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of oil and aqueous extract was evaluated. The essential oil’s chemical composition and aroma was also studied. The solid residue was assess as a possible biosorbent for the adsorption of methylene blue, caffeine and chromium. According to the experimental data, the diffusive one-dimensional model for rectangular geometry proved to be the most adequate. The results also showed that the extracted essential oil, as well as the evaluated solid and liquid residues, have biotechnological potential to be explored.