Enhancing Lippia alba essential oil production and yield using full factorial design and Response Surface Methodology

Post-harvest losses of cereals and legumes in Senegal remain significant, primarily due to insect infestations and fungal contamination (mycotoxins). While chemical pesticides have long been employed to control pests in stored grains, concerns over their toxic residues in food and the environment have driven the search for sustainable alternatives. Active biomolecules, particularly essential oils known for their larvicidal, insecticidal, and antifungal properties, offer a promising and eco-friendly solution to these structural challenges. Among them, Lippia alba essential oil stands out for its significant insecticidal and antifungal potential, as well as its adaptability to Senegalese agroecological conditions.
This study investigates the potential of Lippia alba as a sustainable resource for post-harvest loss management in Senegal. Cultivation parameters were monitored under local agroecological conditions to evaluate its production potential. Subsequently, the optimization of essential oil yield and limonene content was conducted, focusing on achieving a stable and reproducible composition. A full-factorial design was employed to assess the combined effects of three factors: phenological stage, drying time, and distillation duration, on both essential oil yield and limonene content. The data were analyzed using Response Surface Methodology (RSM), providing a comprehensive understanding of the interactions between variables, and enabling the optimization of extraction conditions.
The findings of this study contribute to improving the efficiency and sustainability of essential oil production in Senegal, with significant potential applications in pest control for stored cereals.