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Improvement of the Existing Extraction Techniques of Oil from Agar Wood (aquilaria Malaccensis Lam.).

Dr. Shaheen Akhter
Divisional Officer
Forest Chemistry Division, Bangladesh Forest Research InstituteSholashahar, P.O.- Amin Jute MillsChittagong-4211.

Md. Saidur Rahman
Research Officer
Forest Chemistry Division, Bangladesh Forest Research InstituteSholashahar, P.O.- Amin Jute MillsChittagong-4211.

Shamvu Chandra Nath
Research Assistant (Grade-1)
Forest Chemistry Division, Bangladesh Forest Research InstituteSholashahar, P.O.- Amin Jute MillsChittagong-4211.

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

Artificially and naturally infected agar chips were collected from Barolekha upazila of Moulavibazar district. Agar oil was extracted from agar chips using prototype distillation and Clevenger apparatus. Yield of oil was found to vary from 0.001 to 0.09% when using prototype distillation apparatus. Extraction with Clevenger apparatus yielded 0.89% oil. The distillation technique was compared to the traditional extraction technique used by the agar traders. It was found that traditional extraction technique needs improvement to get better yield and quality of oil. Condensation, separation and purification techniques of traditional method were improved. One hundred and twenty numbers of agar traders of Barolekha upazila were trained on improved extraction technique. Extracted agar oil was analyzed through GC-MS chromatograph at BCSIR, Chittagong and major chemical constituents were identified.

Keywords: Agar, Agar Oil, Oil distillation

Location: Forest Chemistry Division, Bangladesh Forest Research Institute, Chittagong-4211.

Start Date: 01-07-2005

End Date: 30-06-2012

Program Area: Postharvest and Agro-processing

Commodity: Agar

Objectives:

a. To improve of the existing extraction techniques of oil from agar wood to obtain it’s maximum yield and better quality.

b. To assess the oil content in agar fruit.

Methodology:

Distillation of agar oil A proto-type agar oil distillation plant has been designed, constructed and installed in the laboratory of Chemistry Division of BFRI. The plant was equipped with long condenser for complete condensation. In this type of distillation plant, both water and steam distillation processes can be performed well. At the end of the condenser, a separatory funnel was set. Water circulation system was designed for auto pouring of water in to the plant. Agar chips were collected from Barolekha upazila of Moulavibzar districts. Two types of chips were collected- one is from artificially infected trees and another types from naturally infected agar tress. Chips were cut into smaller pieces and soaked in tap water at room temperature for 1 month. At the end of the soaking periods chips were subjected to steam distillation Baseline survey Survey was made in Sylhet and Moulavibazar for collecting information on the present status of agar trade and applied techniques of agar distillation. Two well-known agar industries in Sylhet city, one in Khadimnagar, and 10 of Dhakhinbhag, Barolekha and Kulaura areas were visited. Observations were made on types of distillation unit, condensation process, oil recover process etc. Some other relevant data were also recorded. Trining programme for agar entrepreneurs. Training programmes on agar production, extraction and utilization were conducted for agar traders at Barolekha, Moulovi Bazar.

Source of Information: Annual Research Report 2012-2013, BFRI, Chittagong

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

1. Government

Budget: 12,62,000/- (Including Tk. 4,00,000 for training programme)

Total Budget (Tk.) : 12,62,000/- (Including Tk. 4,00,000 for training programme)

Achievement/Findings:

The traditional extraction technique of agar oil was improved. Improvement was made on better percentage of oil, circulation system of distillate and separation of oil in extraction technique. One prototype and one pilot scale distillation apparatus was designed and fabricated. One Bangla bulletin on agar cultivation and agar cottage industry in Bangladesh was published. Trade of agar oil in international market is highly competitive. The quality of oil must be ensured while marketing of agar products. Therefore, during processing and distillation process it is essential to follow the standard and improved extraction method.

Knowledge Management: Report/Proceedings