BRIN develops essential oil purification for higher-value applications
Egi Agustian of BRIN’s Molecular Chemistry Research Center said the agency is using advanced techniques including vacuum fractional distillation, supercritical CO extraction, molecular distillation, and ultrasonic-based processing.
“This approach enables more specific separation of active compounds, producing high-purity, stable outputs suited to industrial needs,” he said.
One of BRIN’s research outcomes is refining citronella oil into citronellal with purity above 90 percent, Agustian said.
The compound can then be further processed into isopulegol, which has higher added value and a more refined aroma profile.
Agustian said BRIN researchers are also developing product formulations derived from essential oil compounds, including solid perfumes, facial masks, lotions, and hand sanitizers.
He said Indonesia’s position as one of the world’s largest producers and exporters of essential oils makes downstream processing increasingly important for industrial development.
About 40 Indonesian essential oil products have already entered global markets, though most are still exported in raw or unprocessed form.
Meanwhile, higher-value derivatives are often imported back for use in cosmetics and pharmaceutical manufacturing, increasing economic inefficiency, he said.
“The value of essential oils can increase up to tenfold when processed from crude form into high-purity cosmetic raw materials,” Agustian said.
He cited Sumatra patchouli oil, noting its value could rise further by increasing patchouli alcohol content and reducing metal contaminants.
Similar opportunities exist for citronella oil from Java and nutmeg oil from Ambon, which can be processed into higher-value derivatives, he said.
Agustian expressed hope that purification technologies could be adopted at an industrial scale to strengthen Indonesia’s downstream processing capacity.
He said broader adoption would improve global competitiveness while generating greater domestic value added from Indonesia’s natural resources.
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Translator: Sean FM, Rahmad Nasution