ETHOS X

The Fragrances configuration for ETHOS X is based on the solvent-free microwave extraction (SFME) technology for the rapid extraction of essential oils from aromatic herbs, spices and dry seeds, developed at the Laboratory of Chemistry of Natural Substances and Food Sciences at the Université de la Réunion, France (European patents EP 1 439 218, EP 1 618 798 and EP 1 629 725). The ETHOS X performs solvent-free microwave extraction at atmospheric pressure of fragrances, such as essential oils, in plant material. The method involves placing the sample in the microwave reactor, without any added solvent or water. A cooling system outside the microwave continuously condenses the vapors which are collected in a dedicated fragrances glassware. The excess of water is refluxed back to the extraction vessel to restore the in-situ water of the sample.
Once the essential oils have been extracted, they can be analyzed directly by GC-MS without any preliminary clean-up or solvent exchange steps. High quality fragrances are obtained without residual solvents, contaminants and artifacts.

The Flavors configuration is based on the microwave hydro-diffusion and gravity technology (MHG), a new and green method of essential oils extracted from different kinds of aromatic plants, which led to the grant of the European patent EP 1 955 749. The microwave hydro-diffusion and gravity technology (MHG) is an original “upside down” microwave alembic, combining microwave heating and earth gravity at atmospheric pressure. This technology allows the flavors to diffuse outside the plant material, dropping by earth gravity out of the microwave reactor. A cooling system outside the microwave oven continuously condenses the extract. The extraction process takes place without the need of distillation and evaporation, some of the most energy demanding operations commonly required. Whereas traditional processes are carried out in 3 hours or more, solvent-free microwaves hydro-diffusion plus gravity requires less than 30 minutes.
Once the essential oils have been extracted, they can be analyzed directly by GC-MS without any preliminary clean-up or solvent exchange steps. The ETHOS X in the Flavors configuration allows the microwave extraction of natural flavoring substances and non-volatile compounds such as pigments, flavonoids and carotenoids.