Recent Advances in Extraction, Analysis, Value Addition, and Applications of Essential Oils

Plants biosynthesize essential oils (EOs), which are a complex mixture of volatile hydrophobic compounds. They are extracted from aromatic plants (APs) using physical methods like distillation and cold pressing. EOs are now widely used in perfumery, flavouring, pharmaceutics, and aromatherapy. Monoterpenes (C10), sesquiterpenes (C15), and their oxygenated derivatives make up the majority of the EOs. The EOs also contain other ingredients like fatty acid esters and phenylpropanoids. In recent years, there has been a notable surge in the demand for EOs. As a result, there has been an increase in both cultivation and production. These days, EOs can be found anywhere, including your neighbourhood drugstore, pharmacy, and marketplace. The quality of the EOs is crucial and needs to be taken into consideration even with their availability. Numerous internal and external factors, including genetics, extraction techniques, growing environments, harvesting season, post-harvest handling, and adulterations, are known to have an impact on the chemical composition of EOs. A quality control system has to be established to guarantee fair trade and consumer safety because of these variations. Numerous techniques are being used to evaluate the quality of the EOs. However, the combined information gathered from these various analyses should serve as the foundation for evaluating the quality of EOs. With particular reference to their industrial potential, this chapter offers up-to-date information on the extraction, analysis, value-adding, and applications of APs as potential bioresources.