Supercritical extraction of thyme (thymus vulgaris L.)

Abstract

Chromatographic methods for the qualitative and quantitative analysis of thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.) extracts (essential oil obtained by steam distillation and extracts obtained by carbon dioxide supercritical fluid extraction and methylene chloride) are described. The composition of extracts obtained at different pressures (from 80 bar to 400 bar) and constant temperature (40 °C) is discussed. The extraction system thyme supercritical carbon dioxide was modelled by empirical equations defining the dependence of the total extract (TE) solubility and thymol solubility in CO2 on the density of carbon dioxide.