Supercritical fluid extraction of useful compounds from sage

Abstract

A qualitative analysis of supercritical fluid ex-traction (SFE) of the medically useful compound, sage (Salvia officinalis) is presented in this study. Carbon dioxide was used as a super-critical solvent. Effects of operating conditions such as temperature, pressure, and extraction time were investigated. The effect of addition of cosolvents was also studied. The extracted useful compounds were identified and analyzed using GC-MS chromatography. The analysis of the extract obtained by SFE showed certain sig-nificant major compounds that are considered medically important. These major compounds are 1R-.alpha.-Pinene, D-Limonene, l-Camphene, and b-Pinene, and Eucalyptol. Although, there was no consistent trend with respect to the ef-fect of the studied parameters on the composi-tion of the extract, the selectivity of these major compounds are dependant on the operating conditions, manily the operating pressure. An increase in the pressure resulted in an increase in herb extraction yield; this is true for certain group of extracts, while the inverse is also true for other group of compounds. The effect of certain cosolvents on the extractability of sage showed a significant improvement of the yield of some particular constituents of sage.