COMPARATIVE STUDY OF THE CHEMICAL COMPOSITIONS OF ESSENTIAL OILS FROM FRESHLY HARVESTED Chromolaena Odorata PLANT USING DIFFERENT METHODS OF EXTRACTIONS

Chromolaena odorata Linn (L.), formerly known as Eupatorium odoratum L., belongs to the kingdom Plantae (plants), family Asteraceae (Aster family), genus Chromolaena (Thoroughwort), and species Chromolaena odorata L. This research aims to investigate and compare the chemical composition of essential oil from the freshly harvested Chromolaena odorata plant using different methods of oil extraction. Solvent extraction and Steam distillation were employed. Solvent extraction method revealed 1,2,5-oxadiazole-3-carboxamide, Phosphorocyanidic diaminde, and 1,2-Benzenediol with the respective chemical compositions 27.94, 9.34, and 9.06 were the major components obtained, while the steam distillation method of extraction showed Germacrene D, caryophyllene, and Cyclohexanemethanol with the respective percentage compositions of 26.14, 11.16, and 10.65. Chemical analysis identified a range of active compounds in both oils, though the solvent-extracted oil contained a more potent blend. Despite the same plant being harvested at the same time, the chemotypes are not the same, which shows that the method of extraction has a significant role in the chemotype. These results suggest that the choice of extraction method plays a crucial role in maximising the antimicrobial properties of essential oils.