Page 45 - phytochemistry I - PharmD Clinical

 Estragole (methyl chavicol) is the main constituents of one of the
varieties of fennel oil known as bitter fennel oil. Estragole has
carcinogenic and mutagenic effect. It is important to avoid the use of
estragole - rich chemotypes of fennel particularly for small children.

Methods of preparation of V.O
1. Hydrodistillation.
2. Scarification and expression.
3. Extraction with solvents.
4. Enzymatic hydrolysis.
5. Supercritical methods.

The choice of the method of preparation of volatile oil depends on:
1. The condition of the plant material.
2. The location of the oil in the plant.
3. The amount of the oil.
4. The nature of the constituents of the oil.

This method is based on the fact that a mixture of water and immiscible
liquid (V.O.) boils at a temperature lower than water. ex. The boiling point
of turpentine oil is about 160°C, but on mixing with water and heating, the
mixture boils at about 95.6°C.

٤۳