Assessment of the quality and yield of essential oils from Lippia multiflora (Gambia Tea Bush) for use in the cosmetic and perfumery industry

Essential oils extracted from the fresh leaves of Lippia multiflora collected from different locations in Ghana were studied. Steam distillation techniques was employed in extracting the oils from the leaves of L. multiflora collected from the different localities. The oils were dried with anhydrous sodium sulphate. Percentage yields of oils from the different locations were calculated. Refractometer, lnfra-red spectrometer, gas chromatography and gas chromatograph linked to a mass spectrometer (GC/MS) were used to analyze the oils for their chemical composition. The oils from different locations showed large variations in yield and chemical composition. Samples of oils were used in the preparation of pomade with petroleum jelly as a base and to formulate simple perfumes. The acceptability of the cosmetic products was evaluated through simple sensory test.