Investigating the essential oil production from agricultural food waste: A case study Chaiyaphum province, Thailand

Abstract

The valorization of agricultural food waste into high value bioproducts aligns with the principles of sustainable development and circular bioeconomy. This study investigates the extraction, chemical characterization, and techno-economic feasibility of essential oil production from three selected agricultural residues: lemongrass leaves, bergamot peels, and peppermint. Utilizing steam distillation under controlled conditions (90 minutes at 100 °C, 5:1 water-to-biomass ratio), the maximum essential oil yields were 0.55 % (w/w) for both lemongrass and bergamot, and 0.48 % (w/w) for peppermint. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy was employed to identify the dominant functional groups in the oils, revealing key constituents such as aldehydes, alcohols, alkanes, and carbonyl compounds, which support their bioactivity and aromatic potential. A comparative cost analysis demonstrated that lemongrass and bergamot offer the most favorable cost-to-yield ratio, with production costs ranging from $3.00 to $6.00 per 5 kg batch, corresponding to approximately $0.11–$0.22 per milliliter of oil. Although peppermint oil exhibited a slightly lower yield and higher raw material cost, its elevated market value particularly in pharmaceutical and oral care industries may compensate for the reduced process efficiency. When benchmarked against solvent extraction and supercritical CO₂ techniques, steam distillation emerged as the most accessible and economically viable method for community-scale operations, offering a safer and more sustainable alternative. This study highlights the feasibility of integrating decentralized essential oil production systems into agro-waste management frameworks, particularly within rural and community enterprise contexts. The findings support the broader implementation of low-cost, resource-efficient extraction technologies for converting biomass waste into marketable natural products, thereby enhancing rural incomes and reducing environmental burdens.