How are Essential Oils Produced?...Pt.3
This final product is called an absolute, highly concentrated oils. Phytonic process is a new method of solvent extraction developed in 1994. Most solvents are chlorofluorocarbons but in this process the solvent is a fluorocarbon named Hydrofluorocarbon 134a. It has the unique properties of not mixing with the Essential oils or dissolving the plant waxes. The plant material and Hydroflourocarbon 134a are mixed together using low pressure. The final product is called phytols, clear liquid Essential oils. This method of extraction does not make a concrete. Butane extraction is a process similar to solvent extracttion however it uses liquified butane gas as the solvent. Butane is mixed with the plant material so that the oil dissolves. Butane is removed with minimal heating (due to its low boiling point) and low pressure vaccum. The product that remains is a concrete. Alcohol is used to remove waxes making the final product an absolute. An absolute made using this process is call a Butaflor. The process of enfleurage is chiefly used to extract oils from flower petals. The flower petals are layered onto warm oils or cold wax. This process is repeated daily until the bottom of the wax is saturated with oil. This compound is called a concrete just as the compounds produced with solvent extraction. The concrete contains 1 percent Essential oil which is removed from the wax using a volitile liquid. The liquid is evaporated at a low temperature and decreased pressure with the remaining product called an absolute.