Steam Distillation of Essential Oil at Oud Vietnam

At Oud Vietnam, we use steam distillation to extract essential oil from agarwood. This method involves using steam to separate the essential oils from the wood, ensuring the highest quality product.

A. Selection of Raw Materials

The first step in the steam distillation process is selecting the raw materials. The quality of the agarwood used determines 99% of the final product’s quality. We use both natural and cultivated agarwood, though most essential oil in the market today is derived from cultivated agarwood due to the scarcity and high cost of natural agarwood. Factors like the tree species, soil quality, and growing conditions significantly influence the quality of the agarwood.

B. Preparation of Agarwood

After selecting high-quality agarwood, it is finely ground to prepare it for distillation.

C. Essential Oil Extraction Process

1. Modern Steam Distillation

In this method, the ground agarwood is placed in an electric distillation pot made of high-grade stainless steel. The pot is equipped with a condenser and a cooling coil. As the steam rises, it carries the essential oils with it. The steam-oil mixture is then condensed and collected. Due to the oil’s lighter nature and its insolubility in water, it floats on top and is separated using a specialized glass separator.

The equipment operates at a pressure of 2 kg/cm² and a temperature of up to 150°C. A batch of premium agarwood essential oil can take 48 to 72 hours to distill, depending on the quantity and equipment used. After distillation, the oil is filtered to remove impurities and stored in a cool, dry place.

This method is efficient, saving time and increasing production. OUDVN currently operates 10 distillation machines, producing approximately 10 liters of essential oil per month.

2. Traditional Steam Distillation

In traditional steam distillation, agarwood is soaked in water for one to three months before distillation. The soaked wood is then boiled in large boilers. The aromatic steam is captured, condensed, and the oil is separated from the water.

Modern traditional distillation can use stainless steel pots and reduced pressure (vacuum) to lower the temperature below 100°C, preserving the delicate aromatic molecules. However, this method is time-consuming and requires a large amount of raw material. It is less efficient in terms of oil yield compared to modern methods.

Both modern and traditional steam distillation methods require 8,000 – 10,000 kg of agarwood to produce one liter of essential oil. The pure agarwood oil has a light yellow to brown color, a sweet aroma, a pH value of 6.8 – 13.2, and is soluble in alcohol. The quality of the oil can be tested using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS), which detects the presence of different compounds in a sample.

Immediately after distillation, the aromatic molecules in agarwood essential oil are not stable, so the scent is not yet perfect. It takes at least one month for the oil to develop its full aroma. Similar to fine wine, high-quality agarwood essential oil improves over time.

D. Composition of Vietnamese Agarwood Essential Oil

• Vietnamese agarwood essential oil contains the following main components:
• Jintoho
• Jinkool – doremon
• α – Agarofuran
• β – Agarofuran
• Iso-Dihydro Agarofuran
• Aquillochin (coumarin lignan)
• Agarol (sesquiterpene)
• Agarospirol
• Dihydro Agarofuran
• Selinen
• Kuseno

With a stable supply of raw materials and modern distillation systems installed in 2023, Oud Vietnam ensures a consistent monthly supply of high-quality essential oil. Our production facility is ISO 9001:2015 certified, adhering to the International Organization for Standardization’s quality management standards.

The meticulous and time-consuming process of agarwood essential oil distillation, combined with the rarity of the raw material, contributes to its high price and unique appeal. Oud Vietnam’s commitment to quality and excellence makes our agarwood essential oil one of the most sought-after products in the world.