Comparative seasonal variation and chemical composition of essential oils from the leaves and stems of Schefflera heptaphylla using microwave-assisted and conventional hydrodistillation

Two different isolation techniques, microwave-assisted hydrodistillation (MAHD) and conventional hydrodistillation (HD), were used to extract the volatile constituents from the leaves and stems of Schefflera heptaphylla (L.) Frodin harvested during four different seasons, which were subsequently analyzed via gas chromatography with flame ionization detection and gas chromatography with mass spectrometry. MAHD is more advantageous than HD in terms of energy savings and extraction time (60 min vs. 180 min for MAHD vs. HD). Large variations in the composition among the different oils were observed. The seasonal changes in the percentages of the main constituents of the oils were irregular; this affected the quantity and composition of the oil. Oil yield was affected by the method of extraction and seasonal changes. It ranged from 0.11% to 0.27%, with the maximum amount of oil extracted from the leaves using MAHD in winter and the minimum from the stem oil extraction using HD in spring. The essential oil content varied significantly with the season. Sesquiterpene hydrocarbons constituted the major portion of the essential oils. Sesquiterpene hydrocarbons were highest in the leaf oil extraction by HD during winter (88.6%) and lowest in the stem oil extraction by HD during spring (56.3%). Microwave irradiation did not adversely affect the composition of the essential oils. MAHD, indeed, is a modern, green, and fast technology.

► The yields of Schefflera heptaphylla essential oil are affected by harvested season, parts (leaf and stem) and isolation techniques (microwave-assisted hydrodistillation (MAHD) and hydrodistillation (HD)).
► MAHD is more advantageous than HD in terms of energy savings and extraction time (60 min vs. 180 min for MAHD vs. HD).
► Large variations in the composition among the different oils were observed.
► The seasonal changes in the percentage of the main constituents of the oils were irregular; this affected the quantity and composition of the oil.