I know that essential oils are extracted from microscopic sacs in different parts of plants, but which parts produce the most essential oils, and why? Please answer! I need this for school!
It depends on the plant whether you extract from leaves, petals or other parts. Oil can be extracted from any part of the plant including roots, seeds and rinds. With rosemary the leaf is extracted but with jasmine or roses it is the petals and with cardamon it is the seeds.
Basically if they are culinary plants extract from the same parts you use in cooking. For instance with dill you can extract both the seeds and the foliage just as you can use either in flavoring food. Bergamot extract the flowering tops and leaves.
This site gives specifics for a wide range of botanicals.
http://www.godblessyou.co.in/ess_oils1.html
Essential oils are volatile, and are usually derived from the non-seed parts of the plants. Most fixed oils are the so-called fatty oils, and a majority of the fatty oils are derived from the seeds hence the term oilseeds, meaning oil-bearing seeds. Some of the fixed oils are derived from vegetables & nuts.
Essential oils have been used for centuries. They have been used extensively in ancient Rome, Greece, Egypt & the Middle East as perfumes, flavours, deodarants, antiseptics & pharmaceuticals. As a result of new processing technologies, they can today used for more functions as well.
References :
http://www.castoroil.in/reference/plant_oils/plant_oils.html
It depends on the plant whether you extract from leaves, petals or other parts. Oil can be extracted from any part of the plant including roots, seeds and rinds. With rosemary the leaf is extracted but with jasmine or roses it is the petals and with cardamon it is the seeds.
Basically if they are culinary plants extract from the same parts you use in cooking. For instance with dill you can extract both the seeds and the foliage just as you can use either in flavoring food. Bergamot extract the flowering tops and leaves.
This site gives specifics for a wide range of botanicals.
http://www.godblessyou.co.in/ess_oils1.html
References :
http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/proceedings1990/V1-472.html
http://aromatherapy.suite101.com/article.cfm/how_essential_oils_are_extracted