Essential Oils from Citrus reticulata cv. Shatangju Peel: Optimization of Hydrodistillation Extraction by Response Surface Methodology and Evaluation of Their Specific Adhesive Effect to Polystyrene

[Image: see text] Essential oil (Eo) from the Citrus reticulata peel has been widely used, and its adhesive effect on polystyrene (PS) was found accidentally. To analyze the essential oils of C. reticulata cv. Shatangju (CrspEos), the extraction of these oils by steam distillation was optimized using the response surface method. The chemical composition of CrspEos was analyzed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Then, the adhesive effect of these essential oils on PS was evaluated. The adhesion area, the influence of adhesion on the thickness of the essential oil on the materials, the effect of adhesion on the transmittance of PS, the strength of adhesion point, and specificity of adhesion were determined. The optimum extraction conditions resulting in the extraction yield of 47.37 μL g(–1) were a ratio of liquid-to-solid of 8.94:1, a soaking time of 199.45 min, and an extraction time of 138.71 min. The major component in the essential oils was d-limonene (56.66%), followed by myrcene (6.62%). CrspEos presented a specific adherence effect on PS without influencing the thickness and transmittance of PS but with stronger tenacity than the parent material. CrspEos can be used as an environmentally friendly specific adhesive for PS.