Supercritical fluid extraction of Vitex agnus castus fruit

The effects of supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) conditions (pressure and temperature) on extraction yield and recoveries of biologically active components were studied using a 32 full factorial design. Pilot plant SFE experiments were performed in a 5 × 10−3 m3 volume high-pressure vessel. The pressure and temperature were varied over the ranges of 100–450 bar and 40–60 °C, respectively. The yield and recoveries were compared to those obtained with n-hexane and ethanol (96%, v/v) extractions. The extract samples were analysed by TLC, TLC-densitometry, GC and HPLC methods. tained yields changed between 1.9 and 65.7 g kg−1, according to the solvent power of the supercritical fluid. The recoveries of the different minor components were (g minor components kg−1 dried raw material): 0.06–1.06 rotundifurane, 0.02–1.08 β-sitosterol, 0.04–0.63 β-amyrin, 0.87–2.71 casticin. luation the designed experiments 450 bar and 45 °C were chosen as the best conditions within the ranges investigated.