Effect of Extraction Methods on Fungitoxicity and Quality of North Indian Vetiver Oil

Effect of different distillation/extraction methods on quality of North Indian vetiver root oil and its fungitoxicity against the fungus Rhizoctonia solani was evaluated. The vetiver roots were collected from Kannauj, Uttar Pradesh (India). The paper contains data on essential oil yield, physico-chemical properties, chemical composition and antifungal activity of North Indian vetiver root oils distilled/extracted from different methods such as steam distillation, traditional Deg bhapka and solvent extraction methods. From the point of view of total extract yield, the solvent extraction method was found best, however, the perfumery value of the oil was poor. The steam distillation method yielded good quality oil having acceptable perfumery note. Among the three different oils, the oil obtained from Deg bhapka method was found best from the point of view of perfumery value. Physico-chemical properties and chemical composition of all three oils were also found varied. The variation in composition due to effect of individual distillation method was found from one to five per cent. Steam distilled vetiver oil exhibited highest fungitoxicity (ED₅₀ 352 ug/ml) followed by oil obtained by solvent extraction method (ED₅₀ 387 ug/ml). The oil obtained by Deg bhapka method showed lowest activity (ED₅₀ 534 ug/ml).