Essential oil and residual distillation water of Pterocaulon polystachyum DC: composition, antifungal activity, and mathematical modeling of steam distillation

The steam distillation applied to the aerial parts of Pterocaulon polystachyum DC (Asteraceae) afforded essential oil and an aqueous residue, which is a by-product usually considered a waste. In this study, the prospects for using both essential oil and aqueous waste were investigated, showing new directions for the industrial process. The essential oil had its composition determined and showed activity against Microsporum gypseum (Bodin) Guiart & Grigorakis. The residual distillation water, which also had some activity against the same fungus, showed the presence of phenolic acids and a small amount of coumarins, molecules with interest in the pharmaceutical and food industries. In addition, the extraction curve was modeled mathematically.

Automated summary

This study investigated the distillation products of Pterocaulon polystachyum and found that the essential oil exhibited antifungal activity against Microsporum gypseum, while the residual distillation water contained phenolic acids and coumarins of interest to the pharmaceutical and food industries. Additionally, a mathematical model was developed for the extraction curve.