Optimization of the Vacuum Fractional Distillation Process for Enhancing the α-Guaiene of Patchouli Oil with Response Surface Methodology

α-guaiene is one of the primary sesquiterpene compounds used as a flavor and fragrance agent in patchouli oil. The fraction oil that rich has been successfully isolated. In present work, was isolated from crude through vacuum fractional distillation followed by GC-MS identification. Three important process parameters—feed volume, reflux ratio, applied run pressure—were investigated optimized using Box–Behnken design. research methodology an experimental laboratory response surface (RSM) with feed volume level 75 mL to 125 mL, ratio 10:1 30:1, pressure 5 mmHg 15 mmHg. α-guaiene-enriched found first distillate patchouli. optimum condition generated at 44.70% purity treatment 24:1, 14.80 Results indicated did not significantly affect content, while had significant effect. A quadratic mathematical model R2 0.861 validation 96.14% suitable for predicting content during process.