Concentration of Ruta graveolens active compounds using SC-CO2 extraction coupled with fractional separation

• Published in: The Journal of supercritical fluids Vol. 131; pp. 82 - 86
• Main Authors: Baldino, Lucia, Adami, Renata, Reverchon, Ernesto
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.01.2018
• Subjects: Fractional separation; Ruta graveolens; Supercritical fluid extraction; Ruta graveolens; Supercritical fluid extraction; Fractional separation
• ISSN: 0896-8446; 1872-8162
• DOI: 10.1016/j.supflu.2017.09.008

[Display omitted] •SC-CO2 extraction coupled with fractional separation has been used.•250bar, 40°C were the optimized extraction conditions.•The extraction process was faster when R. graveolens particle size was smaller.•Fractional separation allowed the selective elimination of cuticular waxes. Supercritical CO2 (SC-CO2) extraction coupled with fractional separation of the extracts, has been used to concentrate the active principles of Ruta graveolens. Using 250bar, 40°C for the extraction process and cooling the first separator to −10°C, an efficient extraction and fractionation was obtained. Different particle sizes of the vegetable matter were tested (from 0.20 to 0.80mm); they indicated that the extraction process was faster when particle size was smaller; i.e., internal mass transfer controlled the process. Fractional separation allowed the selective elimination of cuticular waxes, that represented about 78% w/w of the total extract produced by SC-CO2 processing. The extract collected in the second separator was concentrated in active compounds up to 87% w/w. For comparison purposes, extraction was also performed using an organic solvent: the extract obtained using ethyl-acetate, contained low percentages of active compounds, mainly due to the co-extraction of large quantities of waxes.