SC-CO2 extraction of Vitex agnus-castus L. fruits: The influence of pressure, temperature and water presoaking on the yield and GC –MS profiles of the extracts in comparison to the essential oil composition

The objectives were trifold: 1) to investigate the impact of pressure, temperature and water presoaking on SC-CO2 extraction of Vitex agnus-castus L. fruits with respect to the yield and GC–MS profiles of the extracts; 2) to find optimal extraction conditions by response surface methodology (RSM); 3) to compare GC–MS profiles of the extracts and essential oil. SC-CO2 extraction was performed at different pressures (8.4–36.6MPa) and temperatures (35.8–64.1°C) determined by central composite rotatable design. The essential oil was obtained by hydrodistillation. The extracts and oil were analyzed by GC–MS. Applied extraction conditions and water presoaking affected the yield remarkably (1.13–9.75%). GC–MS profiles of SC-CO2 extracts mainly contained trans-β-farnesene (15.6%–23.4%), trans-caryophyllene (13.6%–18.6%), α-terpinyl acetate (7.6%–13.5%) and 1,8-cineole (2.6%–12.2%). Striking differences were found among the oil and SC-CO2 extracts GC–MS profiles, while several differences were found in water pre-soaking fruits extract. Graphical abstract
Source: The Journal of Supercritical Fluids - Category: Chemistry Source Type: research