Analysis of Essential Oil Content from Cajeput Leaves (Melaleuca leucadendra) Using Soxhlet Extraction: Comparison of Ordinary Water and Methanol Solvents
Keywords:
Aquadest, Cajuput Leaves, Methanol, Soxhlet, Total PhenolicsAbstract
This research aims to quantitatively analyze the essential oil content extracted from Melaleuca leucadendra leaves using the Soxhlet method, and to evaluate and compare the efficiency of ordinary water (aquadest) and methanol as solvents based on the resulting essential oil yield and the co-extracted secondary metabolite compounds (total phenolics). The study employed a comparative-experimental design focusing on two primary independent variables: the type of solvent (ordinary water and methanol) and the solvent-to-cajuput leaf ratio (1:1 and 1:2), in addition to comparing local and imported cajuput leaf types. Soxhlet extraction was consistently carried out for 190 minutes. The samples were analyzed through qualitative phytochemical screening to identify flavonoids and tannins, as well as quantitative analysis for the determination of Total Phenolic Content (TPC) using the Folin-Ciocalteu spectrophotometric method and LC/MS analysis. Test results showed that cajuput leaf extracts contain flavonoids, tannins, and phenolic compounds in all samples. Imported cajuput leaves consistently exhibited a higher content of bioactive compounds compared to local leaves. The methanol solvent proved to be more effective than distilled water across all parameters, attributed to its optimal polarity for dissolving both polar and semi-polar compounds. The most optimal condition for obtaining the highest content of secondary metabolite compounds was found to be the combination of imported leaves, methanol solvent, and a 1:6 ratio.
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