Supercritical extraction of thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.)

Chromatographic methods for the qualitative and quantitative analysis of th yme (Thymus vulgaris L.) extracts (essential oil obtained by steam distilla tion and extracts obtained by carbon dioxide supercritical fluid extraction and methylene chloride) are described. The composition of extracts obtaine d at different pressures (from 80 bar to 400 bar) and constant temperature (40 degrees C) is discussed. The extraction system thyme-supercritical carb on dioxide was modelled by empirical equations defining the dependence of t he total extract (TE) solubility and thymol solubility in CO2 on the densit y of carbon dioxide.