Extraction of Betel Leaf Essential Oil for the Sustainable Solution to Betel Business in West Bengal for Effective Economic Gain: A Review

摘要

The southern part of West Bengal produces very high quality of betel leaves not only ideal for domestic consumption but also for export with distinct cultivar producing highest amount of leaf essential oil. A small betel-vine of 3 decimal land could generate a monthly income of Rs. 10,000-12,000. The main constraint of betel business is high perishability of the leaves. Several measures are recommended by the scientists for preservation of betel leaves. The extraction of betel leaf essential oil is the most adaptable solution to the perishability problem with a shelf life above 3 years with diverse application and high return. The coastal Bengal faces recurrent cyclones in summer causing havoc devastation of betel-vines and leaf-piles becomes the birth place of diverse pathogens. In betel export Salmonella infection and presence of high level of pesticide causes rejection of consignments. These declined betel mote creates environmental pollution by animal consumption and gets access to the food chain and local aquifers causing ecological imbalance even death. In such a condition the community based extraction facility of BLEO could be developed by the state horticulture department with involvement of local unemployed youth. Diverse oil extractionmethods are available and could be selected according to the space, resource and demand of the market. Oil could be extracted from partially rotten and disease-stuck leaves leading to maximum utilization of waste leaves. The trader-cum-exporters could set up commercial oil extraction facility in pack-house adjoining area or local market or kishan mandi to reap the benefit of excess produce. The agri-marketing department and exporters could promote the marketing of this fragrant essential oil. The involvement of public and private sector could facilitate the large-scale utilization of the leaves with employment generation and high economic gain.