Chemicals Based
Technologies - Menthol From Mint Oil
Introduction
A premier technology providing institution
for indeginously developed technologies is offering
technology for menthol from mint oil. Menthol is a monocyclic,
saturated secondary terpence alcohol. In nature it occurs
as l - menthol, but the former has commercial application.
It has a distinct peppermint flavour. When placed on
the tongue the material imparts a biting sensation and
slightly bitter taste followed by a pleasant feeling
of cold. It finds application in various pharmaceutical
formulations and in condiment industry. The demand of
menthol both in India and abroad has increased substantially
due to increase in the cosmetic products. The econimics
of menthol production greatly depends on the availability
of mint oil which again depends on the cultivation of
the herb and extraction of the oil by steam distillation.
Process
Menthol is generally obtained by chilling mint oil and
subsequent centrifuging to separrate out the menthol
crystals. The process may be divided into two steps,
firstly menthol flakes are produced by chilling mint
oil and secondrly menthol flakes mixed with mint oil
again chilled to produce bold crystals of menthol. The
total recovery of menthol in the first step is around
70%. The time cycle for first step is around 6-7 days.
In the second stepm, menthol flakes mixed with certain
proportion of mint oil kept under temperature control
for about 25 days. The mother liquor (conc. mint oil)
is a bye product and can be used again till decolourisation
of oil occurs. Total recovery of bold menthol crystals
is about 50%.
Product specification
The product obtained conforms to Indian
standard specification IS: 3134-1965, which states that
the product shall be colourless, acicular or prismatic
crystals with a peppermint like odour.
Main Application: Chemical
Industry
For further information please contact
:
Technology Bureau for Small Enterprises
APCTT Building, Qutub Institutional Area
P.O. Box - 4575
New Delhi - 110016
Tel: 91-26864501, 26856276, 2696619/521
Fax: 91-11-26856274
E-mail : tbse@apctt.org
Web: www.techsmall.com
