Supported acid-catalyzed flash vacuum thermolysis on the valorisation of labdanum resin

The possibility of recovering a restrict group of molecules in appreciable amount starting from an extremely complex plant matrix, was disclosed by controlled acid-catalyzed flash vacuum thermolysis (FVT) technology. This easy and expeditious method was used for valorization of a plant extract with low commercial value, the labdanum resin, and could certainly be extended to other natural extracts. Silica gel, acidified silica gel (TsOH), basic alumina and Amberlyst-15® resin, were tested as solid supports to immobilize the labdanum resin during FVT. The best results, both in terms of amount of recovered products and extraction selectivity were obtained by using acidified silica gel.