Kinetics of Hydrodistillation and Chemical Composition of Essential Oil from Cherry Laurel (<i>Prunus laurocerasus</i>L. var.<i>serbica</i>Pančić) Leaves

Abstract

Abstract The essential oil was isolated from cherry laurel (Prunus laurocerasus L. var. serbica Pančić) leaves by hydro-distillation in a Clevenger-type apparatus. The kinetics of hydrodistillation was described by a simplified diffusional model. The oil analysis was performed by GC and GC/MS and the main compound identified was benzaldehyde (99.7%), while two other components being identified as (E)-2-hexenal and (Z)-ocimenone were present in insignificant quantities.