SFE of PMT mixture by supercritical CO2

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to investigate supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) by carbon dioxide (CO2) of one complex matrix, such is a mixture of propolis, mentha and thyme (PMT). In this way could be obtained an extract (PMT-C) contains all non-polar (lipophilic, essential oil compounds) pharmacologically active compounds of investigated matrix. After SFE-CO 2, the same material (without non-polar compounds) was extracted by "classical extraction" using 70% ethanol (extraction of polar substances from matrix) and dry extract (PMT-E) was obtained. For qualitative and quantitative analysis of PMT-C and PMT-E the GC-MS method was used. The antioxidant activity of obtained extracts was determined by ESR (Electron Spin Resonance) spectroscopy - Hydroxyl radical assays (Fenton reaction system).