It is analyzed the process of extraction of the essential oil of priprioca (Cyperus
articulatus L.) rhizomes experimentally with water steam, in a prototype in bench
scale. Through design of experiments and response surfaces methodology, they are
considered the optimal conditions to maximize the response variables yield and
mustakone concentration, majority component of the essential oil of priprioca, in
function of operational entrance variables of the process. The independent variables
and respective levels are: load or mass of priprioca rhizomes, in grams (64, 200, 400,
600, 736); granulometry of the rhizomes, in millimeters (0,61; 1,015; 1,6; 2,19; 2,58)
and extraction time, in minutes (44, 60, 90, 120, 140). Using a central composite
design, with aid of the application StatisticaR 7.0, mathematical models are proposed
for the responses in function of the isolated independent variables and of their
combinations. It is verified that the yield in essential oil and the mustakone tenors can
be fitted appropriately for second order polynomials models. They are obtained larger
yield simultaneously in oil and mustakone tenors, when the load of rhizomes varies
from 105 to 400 grams for extraction times between 105 and 140 minutes.
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