Supercritical fluid extraction of volatile and non-volatile compounds from Schinus molle L.

Abstract

-Schinus molle L., also known as pepper tree, has been reported to have antimicrobial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, antipyretic, antitumoural and cicatrizing properties. This work studies supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) to obtain volatile and non-volatile compounds from the aerial parts of Schinus molle L. and the influence of the process on the composition of the extracts. Experiments were performed in a pilot-scale extractor with a capacity of 1 L at pressures of 9, 10, 12, 15 and 20 MPa at 323.15 K. The volatile compounds were obtained by CO 2 supercritical extraction with moderate pressure (9 MPa), whereas the non-volatile compounds were extracted at higher pressure (12 to 20 MPa). The analysis of the essential oil was carried out by GC-MS and the main compounds identified were sabinene, limonene, D-germacrene, bicyclogermacrene, and spathulenol. For the non-volatile extracts, the total phenolic content was determined by the Folin-Ciocalteau method. Moreover, one of the goals of this study was to compare the experimental data with the simulated yields predicted by a mathematical model based on mass transfer. The model used requires three adjustable parameters to predict the experimental extraction yield curves.

Study of the Chemical Composition of Essential Oils by Gas Chromatography

“…However, the composition of these oils differ in their main components compared to data reported from other sources, such as Liguria (Italy), whose main components are -phellandrene (30%) and elemol (13.25%) (Maffei & Chialvo, 1990), Uruguay with 30% of Biciclogermacreno (Menendez et al, 1996), state of Rio Grande do Sul in southern Brazil with 40% of limonene (Barroso et al, 2011) and Santa Fe (Argentina) whose major component is limonene (40%) (Guala et al, 2009). …”

“…Essential oils obtained by steamdistillation from Schinus molle leaves and young tree branches from the city of Resistencia, Province of Chaco were compared with oils from trees of different backgrounds (Maffei & Chialvo, 1990, Menendez et al, 1996, Barroso et al, 2011Guala et al, 2009). …”

Supercritical CO2 extraction of Schinus molle L with co-solvents: mathematical modeling and antimicrobial applications

“…The extractor temperature was 333.15 K and the pressure was 150 bar. The temperature was chosen on the basis of previous results on SFE for similar matrixes (Marongiu et al 2004, Barroso et al 2011. The temperature of the separator vessel was 273.15 K. The stages of the extraction equipment are shown in Figure 1.…”

Differential allelopathy between genders of an invasive dioecious tree on desert plants

“…Peruvian peppertrees produce several secondary metabolites that have been proven to reduce germination of crops, including flavonoids, oleoresins, tannins, terpenes and saponins (Zahed et al 2010;Barroso et al, 2011). However, as far as we are aware, these negative effects on crop germination have been only evaluated for fruits and leaves produced by female peppertrees (Anaya and Gomez-Pompa, 1971;Materechera and Hae, 2008;Zahed et al, 2010;Barroso et al, 2011), while the allelopathic potential of male individuals have not received much attention.…”

“…However, as far as we are aware, these negative effects on crop germination have been only evaluated for fruits and leaves produced by female peppertrees (Anaya and Gomez-Pompa, 1971;Materechera and Hae, 2008;Zahed et al, 2010;Barroso et al, 2011), while the allelopathic potential of male individuals have not received much attention. Therefore, the allelopathic effects of peppertrees on Mexican succulent plants remain unknown, as well as the differential effects that male and female trees may have on these species.…”