Optimization and Component Analysis of Yuexi Xiaohuangjiang Essential Oil Extraction
Yuexi Xiaohuangjiang is mainly produced in Yuexi, Anhui, with the characteristics of “fine fibers and golden cut surface”. According to the Pharmacopoeia of the People’s Republic of China, the pharmacological effects of ginger mainly include relieving external heat and dispelling coldness, warming and stopping nausea. Essential oils are complex lipophilic natural mixtures of volatile components found in aromatic plants. Ginger essential oil is rich in sesquiterpenes and contains almost no high boiling point substances. It has antibacterial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects, can reduce cholesterol, prevent and treat tumors, so it has high potential for application in the fields of medicine, cosmetics, and food, and is widely used in fruit and vegetable preservation and anti oil oxidation.

The extraction methods of ginger essential oil mainly include steam distillation, organic solvent extraction, supercritical CO2 extraction, ultrasound assisted distillation, etc. The essential oil extracted by different methods has differences in yield and chemical composition. This article uses steam distillation (SD), ultrasound assisted steam distillation (UASD), ultrasound microwave synergistic assisted steam distillation (UMASD), and ultrasound enzymatic synergistic assisted steam distillation (UEASD) to extract essential oils. Combined with scanning electron microscopy results, the effects of pre-treatment, ultrasound, ultrasound microwave synergistic, and ultrasound enzymatic synergistic treatment on the yield of essential oils were explored. Select the method with the highest yield of essential oils for process optimization and determine the optimal extraction process. The volatile compounds of Yuexi Xiaohuangjiang were analyzed and determined by GC-MS using headspace solid phase microextraction (HS-SPME) and UEASD methods, providing reference for the preparation and related research of Xiaohuangjiang essential oil in the future.

This study determined the components of Yuexi Xiaohuangjiang, providing a reference for its processing and utilization, as well as horizontal comparison between ginger varieties. SD method, UASD method, UMASD method, and UEASD method were used to extract essential oil from ginger, with essential oil yields of 2.18%, 2.54%, 2.47%, and 3.28%, respectively. Through scanning electron microscopy observation, the effects of different extraction methods on the microstructure of ginger were analyzed and compared. The UEASD method with the highest essential oil yield was optimized, and under the optimal process, the essential oil yield increased by 50.46%, 29.13%, and 32.79% compared to the other three methods, respectively. HS-SPME and UEASD extraction methods were used for GC-MS analysis of ginger. The results showed that UEASD extraction method yielded more volatile components than HS-SPME extraction method, and there were also differences in the content of the same component. This study provides new ideas and data support for the efficient extraction of essential oil from ginger, laying the foundation for further research on the biological activity and component analysis of ginger.