Extraction yield and kinetic study of Lippia graveolens with supercritical CO2

In this study, leave extracts of Lippia graveolens were obtained using supercritical CO2. The objective was to evaluate the effect of temperature and pressure on the extraction yield and kinetics. Supercritical fluid extractions were performed at three pressures (13, 15 and 35 MPa) and two temperatures (40 and 60 degrees C). Sovova's model for supercritical fluid extraction was fitted to describe the kinetic extraction curves and analyze the results. The extracts were analyzed by GC-MS, where Carvacrol was the majority compound in all the experiments. A maximum yield of 2.6% on a dry weight basis was obtained at 35 MPa and 60 degrees C. The extraction yield increased with temperature and pressure, in all the analyzed samples.