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The following is part of the partial transcription of some practical operational meetings to explain the distillation of essential oils in the amateur sector and the possibility for everyone to produce an excellent essential oil themselves using the "steam current" extraction technique
Storage must take place in an appropriate manner to prevent the smell from becoming less pleasant, the color darker and the fluidity reduced until resinification is achieved. The possible alterations of the Essential Oil are many and therefore it is necessary to take appropriate measures for its correct conservation.
1 - Container material
The container must be made of dark glass or steel or enameled material or tinned or galvanized metal. This prevents light from penetrating and catalyzing chemical reactions of decomposition or combination capable of causing deep modifications. The material of the container shall be inert and shall neither react with the contents nor release substances into it. The essences harden leather and PVC and dissolve the elastic rubber, so these materials are not to be used to close the receptacles. Cork or polyethylene or other recent materials such as extat should be used as a closure.
2 - Container maintenance
The containers must always be kept closed and full, thus avoiding the presence of oxygen in the air which tends to oxidize the Essential Oils by changing their organoleptic properties or resinifying them. This also avoids the absorption of moisture from the air which can favor hydrolysis reactions or the formation of oxides from the metal of the container which could in turn be released to the Essential Oil.
3 - Storage temperature
The containers should be stored at a temperature between 5 and 15 °C. Higher temperatures can cause resinification and speed up all possible degradation reactions.
