Abstract:
Microwave assisted hydrodistillation (MAHD) is the improvement of hydrodistillation (HD) technics which uses microwave energy as source in its refining process. The purpose of this research was to determine the best method of two extraction methods for patchouli leaves (Pogostemon cablin Benth.). MAHD and HD methods have been compared and evaluated for its effectiveness to isolate the essential oil of fresh patchouli leaves. The results showed MAHD method offered a very important advantage exceeded HD within energy storage and isolation term. MAHD method took time for 1.5 hours whereas HD for 6 hours. The essential oil composition of extraction that determined by GC-MS. The main compounds of essential oil of Patchouli leaves were patchouli alcohol with levels 53.00% HD and 53.10% MAHD. The density was 0.959 g/mL of HD and 0.963 g/mL of MAHD. Antimicrobial test showed te HD essential oil effectiveness was better than those of MAHD and te effectiveness on E.coli bacteria. However, the MAHD method was to be considered enviromental friendly.
