Fractionation of lemon-peel oil by semi-preparative supercritical fluid chromatography

Abstract

Fractionation of cold-pressed lemon-peel oil into several compound types, namely hydrocarbons, alcohols and aldehydes, esters and others, was demonstrated using a semi-preparative supercritical fluid chromatographic system. By utilizing stepwise pressure and modifier programming, it was possible to load 0.5 ml (about 0.5 g) of lemon-peel oil onto 50 mm × 7.2 mm I.D. column packed with silica gel (10–20 μm). The technique can be used to produce new flavours by remixing fractions in different proportions, and for simple removal of terpenes from the oil.