Isolation of the Volatile Compounds from the Brown Alga Dictyopteris membranacea by Focused Microwave-Assisted Hydrodistillation

A new method of hydrodistillation assisted by a focused microwave oven was applied to the essential oil production of the brown alga Dictyopteris membranacea. This oil was analyzed by GC and GC/MS and the results were compared with those of conventional hydrodistillation. The concentration of the volatile C-11 hydrocarbons was higher in the focused microwave-assisted hydrodistillation, while the yield of heavy compounds was lower.