Heidi Norton
There are several ways to extract fragrance with alcohol. Enfleurage is a process in which the odour of aromatic materials is absorbed into wax or fat, which is then often extracted with alcohol. This method is used when distillation is not possible because some fragrant compounds denature through high heat. Ethanol extraction is another method, in which impure substances or oils are mixed with ethanol, which dissolves the oxidized aromatic constituents (alcohols, aldehydes, etc.), leaving behind the wax, fats, and other generally hydrophobic substances. The alcohol is then evaporated under low pressure, leaving behind absolute.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| What is mixed with the alcohol? | Impure substances or oils |
| What type of alcohol is used? | Ethanol |
| What is the process called? | Enfleurage |
| What happens to the alcohol? | It is evaporated under low pressure |
| What is left behind? | Absolute |
| What is the absolute? | Extracts from plants such as jasmine and rose |
| What is the absolute further processed for? | To remove any impurities that are still present from the solvent extraction |
| What is distillation? | A common technique for obtaining aromatic compounds from plants, such as orange blossoms and roses |
| What is a fixative? | Something that slows the evaporation of the volatile essential oils found in perfume |
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What You'll Learn
Using ethanol to dissolve oxidized aromatic constituents
Ethanol is a less hydrophobic substance than other solvents used for organic extraction, and is therefore able to dissolve more of the oxidized aromatic constituents (alcohols, aldehydes, etc.). This means that ethanol can be used to extract fragrance from a substance, leaving behind the wax, fats, and other generally hydrophobic substances.
To use ethanol to extract fragrance, the impure substances or oils are mixed with ethanol. The alcohol is then evaporated under low pressure, leaving behind absolute. The absolute may be further processed to remove any impurities that are still present from the solvent extraction.
Ethanol extraction is not typically used to extract fragrance from fresh plant materials, as these contain large quantities of water, which will be extracted into the ethanol. However, distillation is a common technique for obtaining aromatic compounds from plants, such as orange blossoms and roses.
One way to extract fragrance using ethanol is through the process of enfleurage, where the odour of aromatic materials is absorbed into wax or fat, which is then often extracted with alcohol. Enfleurage was commonly used when distillation was not possible because some fragrant compounds denature through high heat.
Another method is to burn off the alcohol, although this will result in the loss of some of the top notes of the fragrance. To do this, place the fragrance in a shallow container to maximise the surface area and ignite it.
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Enfleurage: absorbing the odour of aromatic materials into wax or fat
Enfleurage is a process in which the odour of aromatic materials is absorbed into wax or fat, which is then often extracted with alcohol. This method of extraction is used when distillation is not possible because some fragrant compounds denature through high heat.
Enfleurage is a good way of extracting fragrance from fresh plant materials, as these contain large quantities of water, which will be extracted into the ethanol. The impure substances or oils are mixed with ethanol, which is less hydrophobic than solvents used for organic extraction. The ethanol dissolves more of the oxidised aromatic constituents (alcohols, aldehydes, etc.), leaving behind the wax, fats, and other generally hydrophobic substances. The alcohol is then evaporated under low pressure, leaving behind absolute. The absolute may be further processed to remove any impurities that are still present from the solvent extraction.
One way to remove the alcohol is to burn it off. This can be done by putting the perfume in a shallow container, such as a dinner plate, to stretch the surface area to a maximum and ignite it. However, this method will cause the loss of some of the top notes and the fragrance may take on the smell of smoke. Another way to remove the alcohol is to evaporate it off, using a wide, shallow container.
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Distillation: obtaining aromatic compounds from plants
Distillation is a common technique for obtaining aromatic compounds from plants, such as orange blossoms, roses, jasmine and other fragrant flowers. The process involves mixing impure substances or oils with ethanol, which dissolves the oxidized aromatic constituents (alcohols, aldehydes, etc.), leaving behind the wax, fats, and other generally hydrophobic substances. The ethanol is then evaporated under low pressure, leaving behind an absolute.
The absolute may be further processed to remove any remaining impurities from the solvent extraction. However, ethanol extraction is not typically used to extract fragrance from fresh plant materials as these contain large quantities of water, which will be extracted into the ethanol.
Distillation is not the only method of fragrance extraction. Enfleurage, for example, is a process in which the odour of aromatic materials is absorbed into wax or fat, which is then often extracted with alcohol. Enfleurage is often used when distillation is not possible because some fragrant compounds denature through high heat.
Another method is supercritical fluid extraction, which is a relatively new technique for extracting fragrant compounds from a raw material. This method often employs supercritical CO2 as the extraction solvent. When carbon dioxide is put under high pressure at slightly above room temperature, a supercritical fluid forms.
Once the fragrant alcohol has been obtained, a fixative can be added to slow the evaporation of the volatile essential oils found in perfume. This can be done by squeezing out the contents of vitamin E capsules into the alcohol, one capsule for every 1/4 cup of alcohol. The mixture should then be shaken well and capped tightly.
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Burning off the alcohol
The alcohol can also be evaporated under low pressure, leaving behind the absolute. This method is called distillation and is a common technique for obtaining aromatic compounds from plants, such as orange blossoms and roses.
Distillation is a two-step process, where the alcohol is removed by a second distillation, leaving behind the absolute. This process uses low temperatures, which may result in a more faithful reproduction of the original scent of the raw material.
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Using supercritical CO2 as an extraction solvent
Supercritical CO2 is a relatively new technique for extracting fragrant compounds from raw materials. When carbon dioxide is put under high pressure at slightly above room temperature, it forms a supercritical fluid. Under normal pressure, CO2 changes directly from a solid to a gas in a process known as sublimation.
The process of supercritical fluid extraction is often used to extract fragrant compounds from raw materials such as jasmine and rose. The supercritical CO2 acts as an extraction solvent, dissolving the oxidized aromatic constituents (alcohols, aldehydes, etc.) and leaving behind the wax, fats, and other generally hydrophobic substances.
The use of supercritical CO2 as an extraction solvent offers several advantages over traditional solvent extraction methods. Firstly, it is a more environmentally friendly process as CO2 is a naturally occurring gas and is non-toxic. Secondly, it is a more efficient process as it can extract a wider range of compounds, including those that are heat-sensitive. Finally, it produces a higher quality extract as it can better preserve the original scent of the raw material.
To use supercritical CO2 as an extraction solvent, the following steps can be followed:
- The raw material (e.g. jasmine or rose petals) is placed in an extraction vessel.
- The CO2 is then pumped into the vessel at high pressure and slightly above room temperature, forming a supercritical fluid.
- The supercritical CO2 dissolves the oxidized aromatic constituents of the raw material, releasing the fragrant compounds.
- The supercritical CO2, now containing the fragrant compounds, is separated from the raw material.
- The pressure is reduced, causing the CO2 to change back into a gas and leaving behind the fragrant compounds in liquid form.
- The liquid containing the fragrant compounds can then be collected and further processed as needed.
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Frequently asked questions
The process of fragrance extraction involves mixing impure substances or oils with ethanol, which dissolves the oxidized aromatic constituents (alcohols, aldehydes, etc.) and leaves behind the wax, fats, and other hydrophobic substances. The alcohol is then evaporated or distilled, leaving behind an absolute that can be further processed to remove any remaining impurities.
Enfleurage is a process in which the odour of aromatic materials is absorbed into wax or fat, which is then often extracted with alcohol. Enfleurage was commonly used when distillation was not possible due to the denaturing of some fragrant compounds through high heat.
To make perfume, you can add a fixative to fragrant alcohol by squeezing out the contents of vitamin E capsules, one capsule for each 1/4 cup of alcohol. Shake the mixture well, cap it tightly, and separate it into smaller bottles if desired. Make sure to store the bottles away from light and heat.
