Abstract
Hydrodistillation assisted by microwave (HDAM) and Head space solid phase micro-extraction (HS-SPME) of Myristica fragrans houtt (MF) were investigated. A kinetic study was performed for MF seeds using two techniques (HDAM: Hydrodistillation assisted by microwave and SDAM: steam distillation assisted by microwave). The effect of the cryogenic grinding (CG) showed differences in yields and composition of volatile oils compared to the simple grinding (SG). HDAM–SG (3.4%) and SDAM–SG (2.55%) allowed extraction of substantial amounts of volatile oils in less time compared with HDAM–CG (4.75%) and SDAM–CG (3.8%). The kinetic study (differential and accumulated yields) of essential oil extraction was quantitatively and qualitatively performed showing a significant variation of composition with the extraction time, especially for accumulated yields such as sabinene (31.48–38.78%), α-pinene (12.74–14.09%) and β-pinene (10.01–12.11%). Similarly, the HS-SPME–GC–MS analysis showed also a significant variation of MF seeds volatile composition according some parameters as the type of fibre coating (PDMS: Polydimethylsiloxane and PDMS–DVB: Polydimethylsiloxane divenylbenzene), particle size, grinding mode and the mass used. The chemical groups (monoterpenoids, aliphatic and aromatic alcohols and esters) showed specific behaviour in SPME analysis. SPME sampling parameters were optimized for these components.