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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
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