Studies on the variation in the quantity and quality of oil in different parts of palmarosa (Cymbopogon martini stapf. var motia) in different seasons

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Date
1981
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Department of Processing Technology ,College of Horticulture,Vellanikara
Abstract
Investigations were carried out at the Lemongrass Research Station, Odakkali, with the objective of assessing the yield and quality of oil, obtained from the different portions of the palmarosa plant as compared to the whole plant and from the different harvests taken in an year. It was also aimed at finding out the economics of harvesting and distilling of the different portions of the plant. The results of the study revealed the quantity of grass and oil obtained from the whole plant and the relative contribution of the flower top, the 2/3rd portion and the 1/3rd portion of the plant towards total yield. The whole plant yielded 26307.3 kg of herbage/ha/year, out of which the maximum was contributed by the 2/3rd of the plant (46%) followed by the 1/3rd portion of the plant (42%) and the flower top (12%). The flower top recorded the maximum oil recovery and the percentage contribution of the flower top towards total yield was notable (33%) eventhough the maximum contribution was given by the 2/3rd portion of the plant (48%). Both herbage and oil yield were maximum from the monsoon harvests (1st, 2nd and 3rd) which recorded 73 per cent of total herbage and 68 per cent of total oil yield. Economics of harvesting and distillation of the different portions of the plant when compared to the whole plant indicated that maximum profit was obtained by distilling the whole plant. Distillation of the flower top + the 2/3rd portion of the plant ie., after removing the bottom 1/3rd portion had resulted in a much lower income. This study has proved beyond doubt that distilling the whole plant is economical and more profitable than utilizing a portion of it. The quality of the oil from different portions of the plant in different harvests showed wide variation. The geraniol content of the plant portions and the whole plant was within acceptable limits except the flower top, which was low in geraniol. In general, the ester content of the oil was found to be high which might have contributed to the high specific gravity. The high content of esters in palmarosa oil lowers its perfumery value. Hence, further investigations to probe the possible reasons for the increased content of esters are necessary.
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