Bigarade peel oil fractionation by supercritical carbon dioxide desorption

Desorption of bigarade peel oil from a polar adsorbent was performed by supercritical CO2 to improve the oil quality by selectively eliminating hydrocarbon terpenes and coumarins. The oil fractions obtained at 40 degrees C, at pressures between 77 and 120 bar, and at different desorption times were analyzed by CC-MS. Three fractions were characterized: terpenic fraction, deterpenated fraction, and residue. The content of oxygenated compounds in the deterpenated fraction was 6.6 times higher than in the crude oil. Coumarins, psoralens, polymethoxyflavones, and waxes contained in the starting material were recovered and identified in the residue fraction.