A new chemotype of Cananga odorata flowers for improved extraction of essential oils with bioeconomic perspectives in Eastern Africa

Abstract

Due to its geographical position, Burundi benefits from several soil genesis factors and large variations in microclimates to which are  added water resources, which give to Burundi a floral heritage of great diversity. This study therefore aimed to assess the physicochemical properties (density, refractive index, acid index and ester index) as well as the associated organoleptic characteristics  (odor, color and appearance), of the essential oil extracted by hydrodistillation from fresh flowers of Annonaceae family tropical trees C.  Odorata, a chemotype cultivated and grown in Bujumbura, Burundi. Analyses of physicochemical properties values were done and  compared to reference values. It appears that for the refractive index, density and acid number, the findings of this study are within the  pre-established standards. More interesting, the value of ester number was very beyond the norm by a factor of almost two, breaking the  record already registered by AFNOR, therefore suggesting of an essential oil of exceptional quality. The findings presented in this  study also highlight the importance of C. Odorata chemotype from the plains of Burundi as a promising potential candidate for bio-based  products of public interests such as bio-based cosmetics and bio-based pharmaceuticals products, and therefore offer new  insights bioeconomics in health and well-being. Finally, this plant can easily be cultivated, not only in Burundi, but also in countries of the  Eastern Africa that share the same geoclimatic conditions as the Great African Rift.