KARAKTERISASI MINYAK ATSIRI DARI JENIS SERAI WANGI (cymbopogon nardus (L) rendle) DI KHDTK PUJON HILL

KHDTK Pujon Hill Malang is a forest area that has potential other than stands that can be utilized. One of the dominant stands is Cymbopogon nardus (L.) Rendle. This plant is a type of essential oil producer. Essential oils (etheric oils) are substances contained in plants which function as fragrances and medicines. Essential oil production is generally done using the distillation method, but the yield tends to be low. Efforts to increase yield are a form of improving the quality of essential oils, one of which is by providing treatment before distillation. Storage of materials for a certain period of time and different durations of refining are treatment factors to determine the quality of the oil produced. The aim of this research is to determine the yield and characteristics of essential oils based on storage time and distillation time factors. This research uses a water vapor distillation method, where the ingredients are stored with various levels of freshness and different distillation times. The results of the research showed that the highest yield was produced in samples stored for 18 days, 3 hours of distillation, amounting to 0.11% and significant factors influenced the storage time of the material. The results of testing the physical characteristics of Cymbopogon nardus (L.) Rendle oil showed that the specific gravity of the 9 days 3 hours treatment was 0.887 with a standard of 0.869 and the lowest water content value was 16.86 in the 9 days 2 hours treatment. Water content is influenced by storage time and distillation time, the longer the material is stored, the more water content is released. The chemical properties of Cymbopogon nardus (L.) Rendle oil consist of solubility, the results of which are no solubility or a value of >1:5.9 at 18 days 3 hours of treatment. In the organoleptic test, it had the highest value of 3.6 in the 18 days 3 hours treatment because the aroma of the oil was very thick and distinctive, in terms of color it was also very clear. Quality of Cymbopogon nardus (L.) Rendle oil

The product produced at KHDTK Pujon Hill Malang meets SNI, increasing the quality can be done by increasing the yield value by providing treatment before distillation, such as increasing the storage time of the material.