Bifunctional ultrasound assisted extraction and determination of Elettaria cardamomum Maton essential oil

A new hyphenated extraction method composed of ultrasound assisted extraction (UAE)-optimized ultrasound assisted emulsification microextraction (USAEME) was developed for the extraction and preconcentration of the essential oil of Elettaria cardamomum Maton. The essential oil was analyzed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) and optimization was performed using gas chromatography-flame ionization detection (GC-FID). Ultrasound played two different roles in the extraction of the essential oil. First, as a source of sufficient energy to break the oil-containing glands in order to release the oil, and second as an emulsifier to disperse the organic phase within water. The effective parameters (factors) of USAEME including volume of extraction solvent (C2H4Cl2), extraction temperature and ultrasonic time were optimized by using a central composite design (CCD). The optimal conditions were 120 μL for extraction solvent volume, 32.5 °C for temperature and 10.5 min for ultrasonic time. The linear dynamic ranges (LDRs) were 0.01–50 mg L−1 with the determination coefficients in the range of 0.9990–0.9999. The limits of detection (LODs) and the relative standard deviations (RSDs) were 0.001–0.007 mg L−1 and 3.6–6.3%, respectively. The enrichment factors were 93–98. The main components of the extracted essential oil were α-terpenyl acetate (46.0%), 1,8-cineole (27.7%), linalool (5.3%), α-terpineol (4.0%), linalyl acetate (3.5%).

► We developed USA-optimized USAEME-GC–MS for determination of Cardamom's EO.
► Optimization and modeling the method by response surface design with the least experimental runs.
► The analytical advantages are high EF, low LOD, wide LDR and short analysis time.
► Procedure benefits: protecting analytes, high efficiency at reduced temperatures.
► An environment-friendly method, because consumes low plants and organic solvents.