Extraction of gaharu essential oil using spinning band distillation

Gaharu is known as one of the most expensive wood in the world. Its essential oil is used in many industries such as perfume and also toiletries. The gaharu that was used in this study is grade C gaharu from peninsular of Malysia (Aquiliria Malaccensis) or known as ‘karas’ among the locals. Traditionally, gaharu oil is extracted by distilling the grinded gaharu sample in a copper still. However the process it is not effective and the yield of oil is relatively small and it acquire high temperature. The extraction of gaharu essential oil using spinning band distillation (batch distillation) and water as solvent at heating rate and temperature cut ranging from 20 – 40% and 25 - 100°C respectively was studied. The size of gaharu particle that will be used is