Ultrasound-assisted Extraction of Cedar Essential Oil

This project will be with All Natural Products Inc. (ANPI), a Canadian company focused on essential oil extract from natural herbal resources in Bolton, Ontario. These essential oils have applications in the food, flavor, nutraceutical, and pharmaceutical industries. ANPI have found that their current extraction methods do not provide a suitable yield of essential oils. This project will investigate the ultrasound-assisted extraction process of cedar essential oil using various solvents.
Effect of ultrasonic power and frequency, extraction time, the sample-to-solvent ratio, moisture content, and particle size of the starting material will be investigated for development and optimization of the extraction process in batch mode system. The type, state, and treatment 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 Canadian softwood products.

Faculty Supervisor:

Paul Charpentier

Student:

Shima Ahmadi

Partner:

Anpi Canada

Discipline:

Engineering - chemical / biological

Sector:

Environmental industry

University:

Western University