Supercritical fluid extraction and fractionation of essential oils and related products

Supercritical CO2 extraction of essential oils is one of the most widely discussed applications in the supercritical fluid literature. Nevertheless, a comprehensive overview of the analytical, processing and modelling aspects has never been attempted. This is partly due to the difficulties involved in isolating essential oils from the other products which supercritical CO2 can dissolve. Moreover, only a limited number of studies provide quantitative data on the parameters governing this process. In this review, solubility data on pure compounds belonging to essential oils are analysed. Processes proposed to isolate and fractionate essential oils by supercritical CO2 and the corresponding modelling aspects are discussed critically. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.