The Effect of Pulsed Electric Field (PEF) on Glandular Trichome and Compounds of Patchouli Oil (Pogostemon cablin, Benth)

Abstract

Patchouli oil could be obtained by extraction of patchouli leaves, where the leaves and patchouli is the main ingredient in the pharmaceutical industries such as cosmetics, perfumes, and recently for medical as antiseptic ingredient, because it is a fixative for other essential oils. Patchouli oil stored in glandular trichome (GT) cells and glandular mesophila (GM) cells within the leaves of patchouli plant.  The research aimed to determine the effect of PEF (pulsed electric field) treatment on opening or damages on the cell wall of glandular trichome of fresh patchouli leaves and the quality of patchouli oil. Patchouli plant varieties of Sidikalang (Aceh) resulted by tissue culture in the Laboratory of Biology-Brawijaya University, after acclimatization planted in field trials.  After 7 months age of plant, the fresh leaves (more than one leaves) were taken to observe the GT cell structure using light microscopy and SEM. Subsequently another leafe was treated with PEF at field strengths (E) between 50-150 V/Cm with a time of 2-3 seconds, and observed using SEM. Before distillation, 150 g of patchouli dry leaves was treated with PEF at 150 V/Cm and 15 seconds. The results showed that the PEF with field strength (E=100 V/Cm) and 2 seconds treatment, the GT cell walls were broken down (rupture).  PEF treatment also increases 35% of the oil yield and better the proportion compound of patchouli oil.

Keywords: PEF, glandular trichome, cell wall changes, yield and oil compound