Post-processing of a lavender flowers solvent extract using supercritical CO2 fractionation

Abstract

BackgroundSupercritical Fluid Extraction (SFE) was performed using an unconventional material, the solid extract of lavender flowers obtained by liquid solvent extraction and subsequent solvent elimination. MethodsSystematic extraction experiments were carried out at 8 MPa and 40 °C, and the extract was fractionated in semi-continuous mode in the SFE plant. To understand mass transfer phenomena driving the process, CO2 mass flow rates ranging between 0.60 and 1.50 kg/h were used, and yield vs. time curves were obtained. Significant findingsFractionation produced a cuticular waxes selective precipitation in the first separator and the floral fragrance in the second separator. The most abundant species in the extract were τ-cadinol (13%), lavandulol (10.5%), β-caryophyllene (10%), viridiflorene (8.5%), isocaryophyllene (6%), cedrenalol (4.5%), linalool (4%) and 1,8-cineol (4%). The fragrance contained no waxes, indicating that the fractionation was successful. At higher mass flow rates (from 0.90 to 1.50 kg/h), an asymptotic extraction yield of 5.2% w/w was obtained; whereas, at lower mass flow rates, the extraction yield was lower (2.3% w/w) since the vegetable bed was not completely wetted by the extraction fluid. The overall results indicated that an external mass transfer resistance controlled the process.