Fractionation of non-polar compounds of basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) by supercritical fluid extraction (SFE)

• SFE fractionation was used for isolation of basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) supercritical extracts at different combinations of pressure and temperature (i.e. solvent density).
• The identification and quantitative determination of the extract compounds was made by GC–MS and GC–FID analytical methods.
• The main components identified in the extracts were linalool, eugenol, α-bergamotene, germacrene D, γ-cadinene, δ-cadinene, β-selinene and spathulenol.

Fractionation by supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) was used to obtain various extracts from Ocimum basilicum L. (sweet basil). The extractions were done at temperature of 40 °C and 50 °C, and at different pressure, which was increased successively from 100 bar (150 bar, 200 bar) to 300 bar. The identification and quantification of the extract compounds was done using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) and gas chromatography with flame-ionization detector (GC–FID) analyses. The yield of basil SFE extracts varies from 0.138 to 1.008% (w/w). The major components identified in the extracts were linalool, eugenol, α-bergamotene, germacrene D, γ-cadinene, δ-cadinene, β-selinene and spathulenol. The highest extraction yield, in fractionation process, of linalool (167.03 mg per 100 g of basil) was achieved at pressure of 100 bar and temperature 50 °C (solvent density 0.378 kg/m3).

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