A comparative review of Myrtle oil extraction methods and their impact on bioactive composition

Myrtle (Myrtus communis L.) essential oil (EO) is widely utilized in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and food industries due to its antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. This review provides a comparative analysis of conventional extraction methods, including hydro distillation (HD) and steam distillation (SD), alongside advanced green extraction techniques such as supercritical fluid extraction (SFE), microwave-assisted extraction (MAE), and ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE). Data were systematically retrieved from 176 peer-reviewed articles in the Scopus database, focusing on extraction yields, bioactive compound retention, and environmental impact. Quantitative analysis reveals that SFE achieves the highest EO yield (~6.3%), significantly outperforming HD and SD, which yield between 0.47% and 4.89%. MAE and UAE offer moderate yields (0.32%–4.5%) but excel in preserving oxygenated monoterpenes (up to 55.09%), phenolics (up to 103.09 mg/kg oil), and flavonoids, enhancing the oil’s bioactivity. Moreover, MAE and UAE reduce extraction time to 30–60 minutes, compared to 75–180 minutes for conventional methods. Green extraction techniques not only improve efficiency and bioactive retention but also reduce energy consumption and solvent use, aligning with sustainable industrial practices. This review highlights the need for further optimization and large-scale implementation of eco-friendly extraction technologies for Myrtle EO production.