Equilibrium solubilities of spearmint oil components in supercritical carbon dioxide

The equilibrium solubilities of L-carvone and L-limonene in the binary (L-c arvone-CO2, and L-limonene-CO2,) and ternary (L-carvone-L-limonene-CO2) sys tems were obtained at 39 degrees C and 49 degrees C and at pressures rangin g from 6 to 10 MPa. The solubilities of these components increased with a p ressure increase or a temperature decrease. The solubility of L-limonene wa s higher than that of L-carvone at the same temperature and pressure. The c orrelation of the solubilities using Chrastil equation revealed that the so lubilities of both components were strongly dependent on the density of CO2 . In the ternary system simulating the actual spearmint oil composition, th e solubility of L-carvone was similar but the solubility of L-limonene was lower as compared to their solubilities in the binary systems. (C) 1999 Els evier Science B.V. All rights reserved.