ARC-ILI has developed a mobile essential oil steam distillation unit for the infield extraction of essential oils from herbaceous materials for evaluation purposes. Essential oils are derived from volatile aromatic compounds found in herbaceous plants and are generally extracted by steam distillation. The oils are used as sources of aromatic and flavoring chemicals in the food, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries. Essential oils are generally regarded as high value, low volume commodities making the enterprise ideal for both emerging farmers and commercial farmers as diversification to growing and even processing agricultural plants for essential oils, can help protect farmers from unstable prices of cash crops.
ARC-ILI is also in the process of investigating the mechanisation needs for the essential oil crop production and harvesting process, with the aim of developing specialized equipment that is not available locally.
Inquiries: Johan van Gass, Tel: + 27 (0)12 842 4044
(See "publication list" to order publications on essential oils).
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Mobile essential oil steam
distillation unit
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