DOI: 10.22146/ajche.79220 ASEAN Journal of Chemical Engineering 2023, Vol. 23, No. 2, 1 – 14 Extraction of Java Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) Using Microwave-Assisted Hydro Distillation in Pilot Scale: Parametric Study and Modelling Yeni Variyana 1 Zuhdi Ma’sum 2 Donny Satria Bhuana 3 Mahfud Mahfud* ,3 1 Department of Industrial Chemical Engineering Technology, Politeknik Negeri Lampung, Jl. Soekarno Hatta 10, Rajabasa, Bandar Lampung 35144, Indonesia 2 Department of Chemical Engineering, Universitas Tri Bhuana Tunggal Dewi, Jl. Telaga Warna, Tlogomas, Malang 65151, Indonesia 3 Department of Chemical Engineering, Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember, Jl. Arief Rahman Hakim, Sukolilo, Surabaya 60111, Indonesia * e-mail: mahfud@chem-eng.its.ac.id Abstract. This study aims to extract oil from Java lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) using the pilot-scale Microwave-Assisted Hydro distillation method (distiller volume 10,000 mL). The operating variables of this research are the extraction time, the microwave power, and the ratio of the mass of the material to the solvent (F/S ratio). The results showed an increase in the yield of lemongrass oil along with the increase in extraction time using the Microwave-Assisted Hydro distillation (MAHD) method, and this trend will continue to occur as microwave heating is selective and volumetric. Thus, there is a tendency to increase yield with increasing power. In general, it follows that the higher the power, the higher the yield. The energy received by the material to be converted into heat has caused the essential oil yield to be more abundant, with the highest yield being obtained at 800 W. The increase in the material to solvent ratio increased the oil yield up to a certain point. However, the yield started declining after the F/S ratio of 0.08 was reached. The first order kinetic model well represents the extraction process at a pilot scale. The pilot scale's oil yield is slightly lower than the laboratory scale MAHD. Compositional analysis of the result suggests that the main components of Java lemongrass oil are Geranial (30.06%), Z-Citral (25.88%), Eugenol (12.88%), and Beta-Myrcene (12.84%). Keywords: Java Lemongrass, Cymbopogon citratus, Extraction, Microwave-Assisted Hydro Distillation, Pilot Scale INTRODUCTION Indonesia is known to have diverse natural resources, most of which are yet to be optimally utilized. Some resources are essential oils-producing plants, whose utilization and development could have been improved over time. There has been an increased trend in using essential oils for various purposes, such as food flavors, Submitted 17 November 2022 Revised 17 July 2023 Accepted 8 August 2023