Phase equilibrium data of guaçatonga (Casearia sylvestris) extract + ethanol + CO2 system and encapsulation using a supercritical anti-solvent process

• The phase equilibrium behavior of the system Casearia. sylvestris extract + ethanol + CO2 was observed.
• The system showed liquid–vapor, liquid–liquid and liquid–liquid–vapor transitions.
• The SAS process produced microparticles of C. sylvestris extract encapsulated Pluronic F127.
• Co-precipitated particles were obtained at 110 and 140 bar at 45 °C.
• Mixture of segregated particles was produced at 80 bar and 45 °C.

The aim of this research was to investigate the phase equilibrium behavior of a system containing guaçatonga extract + ethanol + CO2 in order to help define the adequate conditions of temperature and pressure for the co-precipitation process, performed by means of supercritical anti-solvent (SAS) technique. Guaçatonga (Casearia sylvestris) is a native medicinal plant from Brazil, rich in valuable components such as β-caryophyllene, α-humulene and bicyclogermacrene. Phase equilibrium data were obtained by the static method using guaçatonga extract dissolved in ethanol (1:100, wt/wt), at temperatures ranging from 35 to 75 °C and CO2 mass content from 60 to 90 wt%. It was noticed that the system exhibited solid–vapor–liquid, solid–liquid–liquid and solid–vapor–liquid–liquid transition types and a lower critical solution temperature behavior. Phase behavior study was considered for the definition of the SAS conditions applied for the encapsulation of guaçatonga extract in the biopolymer Pluronic F127. The conditions tested ranged from 80 to 140 bar at 45 °C. At 80 bar only segregated particles of extract and the biopolymer were detected, while at 110 and 140 bar an extract encapsulation was achieved.

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