Optimization of supercritical fluid CO2 extraction of Opoponax essential oil (C. erythraea)

Abstract

Essential oil of Opoponax (Commiphora erythraea) was extracted by means of steam distillation and supercritical CO2 (SFE-CO2) extraction. Experiments were performed using a Clevenger-type apparatus. On the other hand, SFE-CO2 runs were carried out using OCOLABS extraction unit at the operating conditions of 150, 200, and 250 bars and within temperature range from 50 to 65 °C. Other extraction parameters such as particle size and extraction period were also investigated in order to validate their effect on the processes and the oil yield. The extraction yields were almost similar (2.46%) for the optimized SFE-CO2 at 250 bar, 65 oC, and 2 hr, and 2.45% for the steam distillation. Our findings confirmed that the grinding of the material (particle size), pressure, and temperature had an important effect on the SFE-CO2 extraction process. GC/MS analyses revealed that major compounds, namely α-santalene, α and β-bisabolone, and trans-alpha-bergamotene were of similar quantities except for ocimene. α-Santalene concentration was 7.15% for steam distillation and 15.32% for SFE-CO2 at the abovementioned conditions.

Keywords

• Opoponax
• Essential Oil
• SFE
• Steam distillation
• GC-MS

References

1. Anitescu, G., Doneanu C., Radulescu, V. (1997). Isolation of coriander oil: Comparison between steam distillation and supercritical CO2 extraction. Flavour and Fragrance Journal, 12, 173-176. https://doi.org/10.1002/(SICI)1099-1026.
2. Carrión-Prietoa, P., Martín-Ramos, P., Mariac, T.M.R., Hernández-Navarroa, S., Garrido-Laurnagad, F., Eusébioc M.E.S., Martín-Gila, J. (2017). Vibrational and thermal studies of essential oils derived from Cistus ladanifer and Erica arborea shrubs. Natural Products Communications, 12, 119-122.
3. Ghasemi, E., Yamini, Y., Bahramifar, N., Sefidkon F. (2007). Comparative analysis of the oil and supercritical CO2 extract of Artemisia sieberi. Food Engineering, 79, 306-311. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfoodeng.2006.01.059
4. Ikeda, R.M., Stanley, W.L., Vannier, S.H., Spitler, E.M. (1962). The monoterpene hydrocarbons composition of some essential oils. Journal of Food Science, 27, 455-458. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2621.1962.tb00126.x
5. Khajeh, M., Yamini, Y., Shariati, S. (2010). Comparison of essential oils compositions of Nepeta persica obtained by supercritical carbon dioxide extraction and steam distillation methods. Food and Bioproducts Processing, 88, 227 232. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fbp.2008.11.003
6. Marcotullio, M.C., Santi, C., Mwankie, G.N.O-M., Curini, M. (2009). Chemical composition of the essential oil of Commiphora erythraea. Natural Product Communications, 4, 1751-1754.
7. Nigam, I.C., Neville, G.A. (1968). Essential oils and their constituents. Part XLI. Identification of sesquiterpene hydrocarbons in oil of opopanax. Journal of Chromatography, 34, 85-88. https://doi.org/10.1016/0021-9673(68)80015-9.
8. Ouzzar, M.L., Louaer, W., Zemane, A., Meniai, A.-H. (2015). Comparison of the performances of hydrodistillation and supercritical CO2 extraction processes for essential oil extraction from rosemary (Rosmarinus Officinalis L.). Chemical Engineering Transactions, 43, 1129-1134. https://doi.org/10.3303/CET1543189

9. Özkal, S.G. (2004). Supercritical carbon dioxide extraction of apricot kernel oil [PhD Thesis, Middle East Technical University]. The Graduate School of Natural and Applied Sciences.
10. Tao, W., Zhang, H., Xue, W., Ren, L., Xia, B., Zhou, X., Wu, H. Duan, J., Chen, G. (2014). Optimization of supercritical fluid extraction of oil from the fruit of Gardenia jasminoides and its antidepressant activity. Molecules, 19, 19350 19360. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules191219350.
11. Tucker, A.O. (1986). Frankicense and myrrh. Economic Botany, 40, 425-433.
12. Wenniger, J.A., Yates, R.L. (1969). Constituents of opopanax oil: sesquiterpene hydrocarbons. Journal of the Association of Official Analytical Chemistry, 52, 1155-1161.
13. Wood, J.R.I. (1997). Handobook of Yemen flora, Royal Botanic Garden Kew.