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

Background: Supercritical Fluid Extraction (SFE) was performed using an unconventional material, the solid extract of lavender flowers obtained by liquid solvent extraction and subsequent solvent elimination.Methods: Systematic extraction experiments were carried out at 8 MPa and 40 degrees C, and the extract was frac-tionated 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 findings: Fractionation 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 tau-cadinol (13%), lav-andulol (10.5%), beta-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.

Automated summary

This study used supercritical fluid extraction to extract and separate the solid extract of lavender flowers. The results showed that higher mass flow rates resulted in higher yields, while lower mass flow rates led to lower yields.