What Is The Difference Between Extract And Distillate?

1. The difference between distillation and extraction

1. Different definitions

(1) Distillation uses the different boiling points of substances to separate mixtures by heating and boiling.

(2) Extraction is based on the different dissolving power of substance A in solvent B and solvent C.

Extract substance A from substance B into solvent C.

2. Different advantages and uses

(1) Distillation is a thermodynamic separation process. The advantage is that it does not need to use other solvents other than system components, thus ensuring that no new impurities are introduced.

(2) Extraction, also known as solvent extraction or liquid-liquid extraction, is widely used in chemistry, metallurgy, food and other industries.

3. Different principles

(1) Distillation uses the different boiling points of different components in a mixture to separate them.

(2) Extraction is based on the different dissolution of different components in different solvents.

4. The conditions for occurrence are different

(1) Distillation conditions: installation of distillation device, selection of heating device, temperature selection, and solvent selection.

(2) Extraction conditions: The extraction agent does not react with the solute; the extraction agent does not miscible or react with the original solvent; the solubility of the solute in the extraction agent is much greater than the original solvent.

2. The difference between plant extracts and essential oils

1. Definition of plant extracts and essential oils

Plant extracts refer to a mixture of substances with certain chemical components extracted from plants. They are generally prepared by solvent method, ultrasonic method, microwave method and other methods. Essential oils refer to concentrated liquids containing plant aromatic substances extracted through distillation, cold pressing and other methods. Both plant extracts and essential oils contain natural components of plants, but they are prepared in different ways.

2. Different extraction methods of plant extracts and essential oils

There are various preparation methods for plant extracts, such as the common supercritical carbon dioxide extraction method, alcohol extraction method, water extraction method, etc.

The preparation methods of essential oils are generally divided into water distillation, cold pressing, extraction, etc. Among them, the hydrodistillation method is the most widely used and can extract essential oils from different parts of flowers, trees, grasses, etc. Because of the physical method used, the active ingredients in essential oils are well preserved, and the ingredients are relatively pure, with rich aroma and special health effects. Essential oils can be divided into different types such as aromatic essential oils and medicinal essential oils according to their different sources and uses.

3. Different ingredients

Plant extracts and essential oils differ in their composition. Essential oils are mainly composed of volatile oils, volatile esters, volatile alcohols, volatile phenols, etc.; while plant extracts contain these components, as well as other complex chemicals, such as polysaccharides, alkaloids, steroid compounds, etc.

4. Different uses

The extract has a wide range of uses and can be used as spices, food additives, etc.; while essential oils are mainly used in aromatherapy, massage, health care, etc.

5. Different ways of use

Essential oils generally need to be diluted for external use, or inhaled through aromatherapy; while plant extracts can be used through oral administration, nutritional injection, patching, etc.