title: Supercritical carbon dioxide extraction and characterization of Laurus nobilis essential oil.
abstract: Supercritical carbon dioxide extraction allowed essential oil of Laurus nobilis to be obtained. Extraction conditions were as follows: pressure, 90 bar; temperature, 50 degrees C; and carbon dioxide flow, Phi = 1.0 kg/h. Waxes were entrapped in the first separator set at 90 bar and -10 degrees C. The oil was recovered in the second separator working at 15 bar and 10 degrees C. The main components were 1,8-cineole (22.8%), linalool (12.5%), alpha-terpinyl acetate (11.4%), and methyleugenol (8.1%). Comparison with the hydrodistilled oil did not reveal any significant difference. Collection of samples at different extraction times during supercritical extraction allowed the change of the oil composition to be monitored. Lighter compounds such as hydrocarbon and oxygenated monoterpenes were extracted in shorter times than the heavier hydrocarbon and oxygenated sesquiterpenes.
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Università degli Studi di Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria di Monserrato, SS 554, km 4,500, 09042 Cagliari, Italy.
authors.forename: Alessandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Caredda
authors.forename: Bruno
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Marongiu
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Porcedda
authors.forename: Carla
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Soro
mesh_terms: D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D025924:Chromatography, Supercritical Fluid / Q000295:instrumentation; D027442:Laurus / Q000737:chemistry*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry*; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000737:chemistry*; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000737:chemistry*; D011312:Pressure; D013696:Temperature
chemical_list: D010936:Plant Extracts; D010938:Plant Oils; D002245:Carbon Dioxide