How to Make Essential Oil From Grapefruit Peels

Separate the pith of the grapefruit from the outer rind.

Break apart a grapefruit and you witness it first-hand: the essential oils of the grapefruit contained in the peel burst forth in an explosion of zingy freshness. The invigorating scent of grapefruit essential oil is prized for its uplifting and aromatherapeutic properties. Extracting the essential oil from the peel requires separating the spongey inner membrane from the outer peel; moreover, temperature must not be so high that it destroys the volatile qualities of the oil.

Things You'll Need

• Citrus peel shredder
• Hydraulic press
• Centrifuge
• Separating funnel
• Filter
• Amber-colored bottle

Instructions

1. Peel the grapefruit manually and shred using a citrus peel shredder, or use a machine to scrape and separate the flavedo, the outer portion of the grapefruit peel, from the albedo, the white inner portion of the peel.

2. Cold express, or compress without heat, the shredded grapefruit peel via a hydraulic press at 15,000 psi.

3. Centrifuge the flavedo under controlled conditions to separate the oil from the solids. Keep the temperature between 82 and 86 degrees Fahrenheit for 45 minutes, while maintaining the rpm at 15,000.

4. Press the solids under the same conditions to extract more essential oil.

5. Separate the essential oil using a separating funnel.

6. Filter and bottle the grapefruit essential oil.

Tips & Warnings

• Purchase the equipment from a cosmetics testing and/or laboratory supplies company, one that is experienced with handling the delicate nature of essential oils.

References

• "International Journal of Agriculture and Biology"; Comparative Physical Examination of Various Citrus Peel Essential Oils; Muhammad Mushtaq Ahmad, et. al; 2006
• AuraCacia: Grapefruit Essential Oil