The production yield of nutmeg oil in Indonesia ranges from 14%, with myristicin levels at 8-9 and sabinene at 15-18. The preferred sabinene content in nutmeg oil is 18-20. Low sabinene levels may result from the refining process of nutmeg oil.
During distillation, distillers typically raise boiler pressure from 2 to 3 bars to shorten production time. If the original production time was 23-24 hours, but after increasing the boiler pressure, it decreased to only 20-21 hours. The increased pressure harmed the sabinene, leading to a decrease in sabinene content in the oil.
Increasing the boiler pressure to 3 bar should be executed gradually and systematically. Wet steam, generated by the combustion of the boiler, is directly channeled to the boiler, in contrast to the hot steam that is channeled to a separate room for further heating. The pressure of 3 bar should be applied approximately 4-5 hours before the completion of the oil refining process.
Additionally, it is recommended to perform the wet steam technique during the first 3-4 hours of distillation. The use of wet steam is capable of expanding the pores of nutmeg seeds, facilitating the release and transportation of oil by hot steam.
Sabinene content serves as a critical factor in evaluating the quality of essential oils, notably that of nutmeg oil. Sabinene is an aromatic hydrocarbon with the formula C10H16 and a cyclic structure, characterized by its aroma and potential antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, and antispasmodic properties.
The sabinene content in nutmeg oil may vary depending on factors such as the method of isolation and identification, variety, plant part, growing conditions, and harvest time. Distilled nutmeg essential oil contains five main components, with sabinene representing 26.13%, alpha-pinene 18.10%, beta-pinene 17.65%, myristicin 9.76%, and limonene 6.76% of the total content.
