Ferhat, M.a.Boukhatem, M.n.Hazzit, M.Chemat, F.2020-10-282020-10-282016-09-01Articale in Journal of fundamental and Applied Sciences Vol. 08, N. 031112-9867http://dspace.univ-eloued.dz/handle/123456789/7352Articale in Journal of fundamental and Applied Sciences Vol. 08, N. 03Three different extraction methods were used for a comparative study of essential oil (EO) from fresh Citrus peels: Traditional hydrodistillation (HD), cold pressing (CP) and innovative microwave ‘dry’ distillation or microwave-accelerated distillation (MAD). The microwave process offers significant advantages over conventional alternatives, viz. shorter distillation period (30 min vs. 3 h for hydrodistillation and 1 h for cold pressing); better yields (0.24% vs. 0.21% for HD and 0.054% for CP); environmental impact (energy charge is noticeably superior for performing HD and for mechanical motors (CP) than that necessary for quick MAD assay); cleaner features (as no remains creation and no solvent or water used); raises antibacterial properties ; and offers a more precious EO (with high amounts of oxygenated compounds).frMicrowave extraction; Hydrodistillation; Cold pressing; Essential oil; Citrus.Article