Extraction of LIMONENE (Orange Essential Oil) | CinzLab Chem PROJECT

Limonene C10H16 (IUPAC: 1-Methyl-4-(prop-1-en-2-yl)cyclohex-1-ene) is a cyclic-monoterpene aliphatic hydrocarbon. Monoterpenes are a class of terpenes that consists of two isoprene units bonded in a linear chain or in a cyclic shape. Isoprene is the foundamental unit of all terpenes. Limonene is the main component of orange and lemon essential oil. Its quantity is variable, depending on the fruit. In orange essential oil, limonene percentage oscillates between 91-97% (depending on the orange’s origin)1 . Other components of orange essential oil are other terpenes (ex. alpha and beta Pinenes) and long chain alyphatic hydrocarbon alcohols and aldehydes. Limonene is a chiral molecule. The (R)- enantiomer (aka D-Limonene) defines orange’s fragrance. I’m goinf to extract D-Limonene (90 %) from orange peels. The extraction will be performed by Steam Distillation Steam distillation is a process that involves steam to co-distill a volatile substance. It is one of the most common method to extract natural pr