US Patent 7879584 Process for increased patchulol content in essential oil of

A process is provided for improving sensory properties of essential oils by treatment and incubation with a microbial culture during the extraction process. A method for increasing the patchulol content in essential oil extracted from leaves of Pogostemon cablin is provided, comprising contacting a dried patchouli biomass with microbial cultures, incubating the patchouli biomass under conditions suitable for allowing the increase in the patchulol content and extracting the oil. This process results in increased patchulol content without decreasing the overall oil yields. The patchouli oil also has enriched aroma.