An optimization of the extraction and the physicochemical proprieties of the essential oil of Lawsonia inermis L. cultivated in Biskra (Department of Algeria)

Abstract:

Introduction: The henna plant Lawsonia inermis L., is one of the oldest cosmetic, medicinal and aromatic plants, well known in the worldwide. Objective: This study is the optimization of the extraction of the essential oil from the aerial part of Lawsonia inermis L plant. Two methods of extraction were compared; the hydrodistillation and the microwaves extraction, from the leaves, the flowers and the seeds of henna plant. The obtained essential oil was analyzed in laboratory to determine its organoleptic and physicochemical proprieties. Results: The main result is that the flowers of henna yielded more essential oil than the leaves and the seeds respectively, the obtained essentials oils by the sited methods of extraction are quantitatively and qualitatively similar with fair differences in yield an chemical proprieties, may due to the extraction times, even that they are conformed to AFNOR norms.

Key words: Henna, Essential oil extraction, Hydrodistillation, Microwaves, AFNOR norms.