Techno-chemical Investigation of Azalea Flowers

Azalea plant belongs to the Rhododendron family (Ericaceae), which includes approximately 130 species, about 20 of which are found in the Far East, Siberia and the Caucasus. It is a perennial plant and is distributed in the Northern Hemisphere, the mountains of East Asia and North America. Large massifs of the Azalea plant are found in the wild in Georgia, Ukraine and the Krasnodar Krai (Russian Federation). Plants of this species are rich in various natural compounds: flavonoids, tannins, pigments, toxins, triterpenoids, essential oils and others. The Azalea plant is investigated in order to receive the absolute oil and concrete from its flowers. The influence of solvent, time of flower gathering and flowers crowns components (stems, bowls) on concrete and absolute oil outcome and quality are investigated. According to the research, Azalea extraction is advised to be conducted with petrol in room temperature conditions (18-230C); Azalea flowers should be gathered in the first part of a day during the beginning of blooming period and massive blooming; Azalea flowers should be processed with the stems and bowls – entire raceme. The concrete yield from Azalea flowers in average is 0,33%, and absolute oil yield from concrete in average – 64,5%. The Azalea flower’s concrete organoleptic and physic-chemical properties are studied and it is established that concrete quality indexes totally satisfy concrete demands. Research results were taken into account while working out the Azalea flower processing technology.