Supercritical fluid extraction of black pepper (Piper nigrun L.) essentialoil

Fixed bed extraction of black pepper essential oil using supercritical carb on dioxide as a solvent was studied. Composition of the extracted oil was o btained by chromatographic analysis, and solubility of the oil was determin ed using the dynamic method of extraction. Experiments were conducted at 30 degrees C, 40 degrees C and 50 degrees C and 150, 200 and 300 bar. Solubil ity varied from 0.09 to 0.15 g oil/g CO2 and increased with the solvent den sity. In the extraction curves (mass of oil versus mass of CO2) it was poss ible to identify the constant extraction rate period as well as the failing and diffusion rate periods. About 70% of the total oil was extracted durin g the constant rate period. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reser ved.