Supercritical extraction of essential oil from Ilex paraguariensis leaves

Abstract

Essential oil from mate tea leaves was extracted with supercritical carbon dioxide at 120 bars and temperatures ranging from 323.15K to 343.15K. The experiments were carried out using a high-pressure apparatus in a pilot scale unit. Mathematical modeling was realized using a mass transfer model proposed by Sovová, generating information about unknown parameters for supercritical extraction of essential oil from mate tea leaves, and it was possible to observe agreement between the mathematical model and the experimental data.