Optimized extraction of cedar oil using green solvents

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This Engage project will be with All Natural Products Inc. (ANPI), who are a Canadian company focused on essential oil extract from softwood in Bolton, Ontario. Presently, ANPI uses various extraction techniques for isolation of essential oils particularly cedar oil from cedar mulch. These essential oils have applications in the food, flavor, fragrances, and pharmaceutical industries. ANPI have found that their current extraction methods do not provide a suitable yield of cedar oil. This project will examine their current extraction techniques in the Charpentier laboratory and how to optimize it using green solvents. Effect of extraction time, temperature, pressure, modifiers, flow rate, moisture content, shelf time, and particle size of the starting mulch material will be investigated for development and optimization of the extraction process. The form (seed, leave, fresh flowers, roots, etc.), state (whole material dried or fresh), and treatment (ground, chopped, sliced, etc.) of starting material will also be examined which will have an effect on the extraction yield. This project will provide tremendous advantage to ANPI providing new opportunities to extract the maximum value from our low valued Canadian based softwood products.