ASIAN INTERNATIONAL PRIVATE SCHOOL

Ruwais, Abu Dhabi

UAE
(2021-2022)

Chemistry Investigatory project

Extraction of essential oils present in Saunf (aniseed),
Ajwain (carum), Elaichi (cardamom)

NAME: ASTHA BHATIA

SUBMITTED BY: ASTHA BHATIA
GRADE: 12-A
GUIDED BY: MR. ROBERTSON T.G.

Page | 1
 ASIAN INTERNATIONAL PRIVATE SCHOOL-RUWAIS

CERTIFICATE

This is to certify that Miss/Master ……………………………………… of Grade

……………… Registration no: ………...………………………… has carried out the
project work in …………………………………………………...……. prescribed by the
Central Board of Secondary Education, New Delhi during the
academic year …………………………

Teacher –in-charge : ……………. Date: ………………….

Internal Examiner: …...............................

External Examiner: ………………………………...

Principal: School Seal:

Acknowledgement
Page | 2
I would like to express my deepest appreciation to all
those who have provided me with the opportunity to
perform this project, I would like to thank my Subject
teacher Mr. Robertson, whose valuable guidance has
helped me to complete the project. His suggestions
and instructions have served as a major contributor
towards the successful outcome of this project
I take this opportunity to thank our principal, Dr.
Anzar Abdul Salam who was always supportive and
helpful in fulfilling all our academic requirements and
for giving us the opportunity to make this report
I would like to thank my parents for giving
encouragement, enthusiasm and valuable assistance
to me
Last but not the least; I would like to thank all my
classmates who have supported me in various aspects

INDEX
Page | 3
S.NO TOPIC PAGE NO.
1. Introduction 5
2. Aim 6
3. Information about Aniseed, Carum, 7, 8
Cardamom
4. Experiment (materials required) 9
5. Procedure 10
6. Observation 11
7. Result and Precautions 12
8. Flow Chart and Chemistry behind 13
the topic
9. Recent research 14
10. Future scope 15
11. Applications 16
12. Advantages and Disadvantages 17
13. Conclusion 18
14. Bibliography 19

INDRODUCTION
An essential oil is a concentrated hydrophobic liquid containing volatile aroma
compounds from plants. they are also known as volatile oils, ethereal oils,
aetherolea etc. Essential oils are made up of highly volatile substances which can

Page | 4
 be extracted from numerous plant species. extracted from plant parts such as
seeds, roots, bark, stems, leaves, fruit, flowers or branches. They are known to be
some of the most powerful and oldest substances on
earth and have a large history of being used for healing.
The oils capture the plant’s scent and flavor, or essence.
Cinnamon, clove, cumin, eucalyptus, garlic, jasmine,
peppermint, rose, sandalwood, spearmint, thyme,
wintergreen are a few familiar examples of valuable
essential oils. Distillation based recovery processes such as steam and vacuum
distillation are preferred for the extraction of essential
oils from plant materials. Virtually all naturally
occurring essential oils are made up of hydrocarbons
such as
camphene, pinene, limonene, phellandrene, cedrene,
and oxygenated hydrocarbons such as alcohols,
aldehydes, esters, ethers, ketones, lactones, phenols and organic acids. The
essential oil gets their odors from the oxygenated compounds contained in them
the hydrocarbons are less stable and they are responsible for the degradation
observed in the oils. The hydrocarbons contained in the essential oils are often
removed so that the oils can be more stable and still retain their odors and flavors.

AIM
Extraction of essential oils
present in Saunf (Aniseed),
Ajwain (Carum) and
Page | 5
Illaichi (Cardamom)

Page | 6
 Information About Saunf (Aniseed), Ajwain (Carum) and
Illaichi (Cardamom)
 Saunf (Aniseed)

Scientific name: Pimpinella anisum

Common Method of Extraction: Steam Distillation
Color: Clear Aromatic
Description: Distinctive scent of licorice. Rich and sweet

 Ajwain (Carum)

Page | 7
Botanical name: Trachyspermum ammi
Common Method of Extraction: Distillation
Aroma: Warm, Pungent, Peppery
Extraction: Ajwain oil is extracted from the crushed seeds of
ajwain by the method of steam distillation.

 Illaichi (Cardamom)

Botanical Name: Elettaria cardamom Common Method of

Extraction: Steam Distillation
Aroma: Very complex and smooth spice aroma
Extraction: Cardamom oil is extracted using steam distillation
method. For this, seeds of the fruit are used just before they
ripe. The yield through this process is normally 1 to 5 per cent.

Page | 8
 EXPERIMENT
 Materials Required:
• Steam generator (Copper Vessel)
• round bottom flask (500 ml),
• conical flask • Condenser
• glass tubes
• iron stand
• sand bath
• separatory funnel
• tripod stands
• burners
• Ajwain (Carum)
• Petroleum ether(60-80°C)
• Saunf (Aniseed)

Page | 9
 Procedure:

1. Set the apparatus as shown in the picture of Experimental Setup. The

apparatus consists of a steam generator connected to the round bottom
flask through a glass inlet tube. The flask is connected to a water

Page | 10
condenser through a glass outlet tube. Condenser is further attached to
a receiver through an adaptor
2.Take about 750ml of water in the steam generator and start heating to
produce steam.
3.In the round bottom flask take about 75g of crushed saunf(aniseed).
4.A vigorous current of steam from steam generator is passed through
the round bottom flask.
5.A part of the steam condenses in the round bottom flask. As more and
more steam is passed, the steam volatile components of saunf pass
through condenser along with steam. These contents on condensation
are collected in the receiver.
6.The contents in the round bottom flask may be heated by a Bunsen
burner to prevent excessive condensation of steam.
7.The process of steam distillation is continued for about half an hour.
8.Transfer the distillate to a separating funnel and extract with 20ml
portions of petroleum ether 3 times.
9.Combine the petroleum ether extracts in a 250ml conical flask and dry
it with the help of anhydrous sodium sulphate.
10.Remove the solvent from the dried filtrate by careful distillation in a
water bath. The essential oil is left behind in the distillation flask.
11.Find the weight of the extracted essential oil. Note the color, odor
and weight of the essential oil.

Observations
Page | 11
1.) Saunf (Aniseed): -
Weight of Saunf taken= 100 gm
Initial Weight of the bottle = 10gm(x)
Weight of bottle + essential oil = 11.25 gm(y)
Weight of essential oil extracted =(y-x) =1.25 gm
Percentage of essential oil = (y/100) *100=1.25 %
Color of the oi = Colorless
Odor of the oil = Saunf like smell.

2.) Ajwain (Carum): -

Weight of Saunf taken= 75 gm
initial Weight of the bottle = 10 gm(x)
Weight of bottle + essential oil = 11 gm(y)
Weight of essential oil extracted =(y-x) =1 gm
Percentage of essential oil = (y/75) *100=1.33%
Color of the oil= Colorless
Odor of the oil = Ajwain like smell.

RESULT

Page | 12
 Essential oils present in aniseed, carum and cardamom are
extracted from this method.
Precautions
1. If you accidentally spill essential oils – Clean any spillage
with an absorbent material such as kitchen roll.
2. If you accidentally get essential oils in your eye – Flush with
copious amounts of MILK for at least 15 minutes and seek
medical advice if symptoms persist.
3. If you accidentally swallow essential oils – Rinse mouth with
MILK and seek medical attention.
4. Handling – Do not eat, drink or smoke when handling.
Respect good personal hygiene.
5. Always mix with carrier oil before applying to the skin.
Never apply to inflamed or broken skin.
6. Do not use neat on skin.
7. Storage – Store in a cool, dry place away from heat and
direct sunlight. Always use original containers.
8. Avoid contact with polished surfaces and plastic.

Page | 13
 FLOW CHART

Vaporised water and essential oil.

Vapour is cooled, steam condenses into water and essential oil

forms a layer on water as it don't mix.

Seprate the oil from the water by

filtrate.
CHEMISTRY BEHIND EXTRACTION OF ESSENTIAL OIL
-Process of Steam distillation: It is a separation process that consists in
distilling water together with other volatile and non-volatile
components. The principle behind the steam distillation process is that
when the heating of a mixture of two or more immiscible liquids takes
place, the vapor pressure exerted by the system increases.

Page | 14
-Chemical constituents and structure: Constituents of Saunf (Aniseed)
are a-pinene, camphene, B-pinene, linalool, cis-anethole, trans-
anethole, safrole, anisaldehyde, Aceto anisole Constituents of CAROM
(AJWAIN): the main constituents of the ajwain oil are thymol, gamma-
terpinene, pcymene, and beta-pinene. Alphapinene, alpha-thujene,
beta-myrcene, carvacrol, limonene, and terpinene-4-ol
Constituents of CARDAMOM OIL (ILLAICHI): Cardamom oil contains
sabinene, myrcene, a-pinene, b-pinene, aphellandrene, limonene,
pcymene, terpinolene, 1,8-cineole, y-terpinene, linalool, linalyl acetate,
a-terpineol acetate, citronellol, nerol, terpinen-4-oil, aterpineol,
geraniol, methyl eugenol and trans-nerolidol

Structure of aniseed oil structure of constituents of ajwain

Recent research on essential oils

A study has found that farnesol, which people use in perfumery and is a
component of many essential oils, preserves dopamine nerves in a mouse model
of Parkinson’s.
In Parkinson’s, dopamine-producing neurons (nerves) in a part of the brain called
the substantia nigra progressively die off.

Page | 15
Dopamine neurons are essential for movement and cognition, so their gradual
loss over several years causes worsening symptoms, such as tremors, muscle
rigidity, difficulty walking, and dementia. There are currently no proven therapies
to delay or prevent the progression of Parkinson’s.
So, the discovery by researchers of a
compound that prevents the death of
dopamine neurons in a mouse model of
Parkinson’s disease could herald a step
change in treatment.
The compound, called farnesol, occurs
naturally in plants and is a component of several essential oils, including
citronella, lemongrass, and balsam. It has long featured as an ingredient in the
manufacture of perfumes. The compound is also widespread in animal tissues.
The researchers began by screening a large library of drugs to find a compound
that inhibits a protein called PARIS, which is implicated in the death of dopamine
neurons in Parkinson’s The screening process identified farnesol as a potent
inhibitor of PARIS. Importantly, people can take the drug orally, and it can cross
the blood-brain barrier to protect brain cells. To investigate whether farnesol can
protect neurons, the researchers fed mice either a regular diet supplemented
with farnesol or the regular diet alone for 1 week. he mice that had eaten the
farnesol-supplemented diet went on to perform twice as well on standard tests
of strength and coordination compared with the mice that ate an ordinary diet.
The researchers subsequently discovered that the mice on the farnesol diet had
twice as many healthy dopamine neurons in their brains.

FUTURE SCOPE OF ESSENTIAL OILS

The report "Essential Oils Market by Type ,Application, Method of Extraction,
and Region – Global Forecast to 2026" The global essential oils market size is
estimated to be valued USD 10.3 billion in 2021 and is expected to reach a value

Page | 16
 of USD 16.0 billion by 2026, The factors such as an growth in awareness toward
preventive healthcare, rise in demand for essential oils in food products with
extended shelf life , along with increase in demand for essential oils in cosmetic
applications are some of the factors driving to the growth of the essential oils
market Orange oil account for the largest market during the forecast period
owing to the large pool of products available in the market. Orange oil acts as an
antispasmodic, sedative, aphrodisiac, anti-inflammatory, and antiseptic. Thus,
awareness about the benefits of orange oil led to an increase in its demand from
different end-use applications such as food & beverage, aromatherapy, and
health care. The demand for essential oil is booming, which is encouraging the
manufacturers to increase the production to cater to the growing demand. Food
& beverage account for the largest market size during the forecast period.
Essential oils are identified for their health benefits, as they are natural
ingredients that impart the essence of the source they have been derived from.
They are used in food & beverages for imparting flavor to the final products, as
substitutes to synthetic ingredients. As consumers are becoming increasingly
aware of the health benefits of essential oils, the preferences for food &
beverage products with these oils as additives has increased.

Application of Saunf oil (aniseed), Ajwain oil (carum),

Elaichi oil (cardamom)
 ANISSED OIL
• In aromatherapy, aniseed essential oil is used to treat colds and flu.
• Aniseed oil can be made into a liquid scent and is used for both hunting
and fishing. It is put on fishing lures to attract fish.
• Essential oil is also used externally as an insecticide against small insects
such as head lice, mites and vermin. It also has fungicidal properties.
• used in cough mixtures and lozenges as well as antiseptic

Page | 17
 • also used in perfumes and soaps.
• Aniseed essential oil also helps to loosen up excess mucus and phlegm
which are lodged in the respiratory tracts. As such, this helps to relieve
congestion in the lungs, which results in a much freer breathing passage.
• Aniseed essential oil is an effective pain reliever agent, thus making it a
potent oil to soothe muscle aches and stiff or sore joints.
 AJWAIN OIL
• Skin Ailments: Ajwain can help with pimples.
• Digestive Aid: One can treat indigestion, ulcers, and various
other bacterial infections of the gut with ajwain seeds and
essential oil.
• Aromatherapy: Useful in aromatherapy, ajwain oil offers calming
sensations that relieves neuralgia and migraines.
 CARDAMON OIL
• Cardamom oil has a vast range of usage for treatment of sciatica,
coughs, abdominal pains, spasm and nervous disorders.
• Traditionally, it is used for pulmonary disease, fever, digestive
and urinary problems in India and China for over 3000 years.
• it is also used to flavor pharmaceutical products.
• Apart from pharmaceutical usage, cardamom oil is also used as a
fragrant in soaps, perfumes and cosmetic products.
ADVANTAGES AND DISASDVANTAGES
 Essential oil
 Disadvantages:
• Essential oils can be expensive when you’re first getting started. While they
do last a long time, getting started with essential oils can get pricey.
• People may be allergic to different types of oils without knowing it

Page | 18
 • Not all essential oils are the same so it requires a bit more research to
ensure the oils you are buying are pure and not synthetic fragrances.

 Advantages:

• It helps freshen the air in your home without adding toxic chemicals to the
air.
• It can help keep mosquitoes, fruit flies and more insects from entering your
home.
• nausea, pain, and body aches, anxiety, agitation, stress, depression, fatigue
and insomnia, muscular aches, headaches. It also helps you breathe easier,
clear sinuses, protect against illness, help enhance sleep and mood, reduce
inflammation and congestion.
• reduce stress, treat fungal infections, and help you sleep.
 Steam distillation
 Advantages
• Maximum yield is obtained.
• Minimal loss of oxygenated components maximum yield as
compared to water distillation.
• Steam distillation allows you to control the temperature and amount of
steam you apply to the plant material
 Disadvantage
• Steam distillation has the disadvantage of having a higher initial cost for
investment in the equipment needed to execute the process successfully
• More time consuming due to due to the low pressure of rising
steam. Water on the substance to be distilled causes it to
vaporize in delayed time

Conclusion
Page | 19
 It can thus be concluded, that essential oils are good for the
environment and for us also and even the extraction of these oils is
also affordable and easy to extract on a large scale so the
production and use of essential oils should be encourage as it is
natural volatile compounds having loveable odor and have so many
benefits in various fields like health, medicine, cosmetic, fragrance
and we were also able to extract essential oil from Saunf (Aniseed),
Ajwain(Carum) and Illaichi (Cardamom)
BILBOGRAPHY

https://www.teenink.com/hot_topics/health/article/
672547/Essential-Oils
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/what-are-
essential-oils#what-they-are
https://www.google.com/imghp?hl=EN
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Essential_oil
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anise
https://www.katyaniexport.com/
https://gosumitup.com/health-benefits-of-aniseed-get-to-know-
aniseed https://biofinest.com/en/blog/79_aniseed-essential-
oil.html https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ajwain
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/chemical-in-essential-oils-may-
treat-parkinsons-disease https://chemdictionary.org/steam-distillation/
https://www.leaf.tv/articles/advantages-disadvantages-of-steam-distillation/

https://www.filtertime.com/news/pros-and-cons-of-diffusers-and-essential-

oils https://apnews.com/press-release/pr-

wiredrelease/9ebf235bdd9ca84bce92597c8003dc00

Page | 20
https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/PressReleases/essential-oil.asp

Chemistry lab manual class12 cbse

Page | 21