BIOACTIVE MOLECULES FROM ESSENTIAL OIL EXTRACTION WASTES.

The essential oils production processes generate several solid wastes that represent anenvironmental problem due to their costly industrial management. On the other hand,extraction processes that lead to their valorization are extremely important, as they couldprovide bioactive molecules to be used in the pharmaceutical, cosmetic and food sectors.The aim of our study was to optimize eco-friendly treatments to obtain bioactive molecules(polyphenols, flavonoids and molecules with high antioxidant activity) from the wastes ofthe essential oil extraction processes, in a current of steam, of lavender and mint plants.Good extraction yields of bioactive molecules were found for both essential herbs. Thisyield was strongly dependent on the percentage of solvent and water in the extractionmixture. Furthermore, all the extracts showed a high antioxidant activity.