Liquid CO2 extraction of Murraya paniculata Linn. flowers

Murraya paniculata (Linn.) Jack syn M. exotica Linn. commonly known as orange jessamine is grown in gardens for its large clusters of fragrant flowers. Extraction of the fresh flowers with liquid CO2 provides a floral extract in 0.64% yields. The major components in the extract were phenyl ethyl alcohol (3.3%), indole (1.2%), E-nerolidol (7.6%), benzyl benzoate (7.0%), phenyl ethyl benzoate (9.2%), manool (29.4%), etc. The flowers when extracted with pentane afforded a concrete (0.78%). Precipitating the waxes from the concrete with methanol gave absolute (0.62%). The concrete was fractionated with liquid CO2 to separate the waxy components. The chemical composition of concrete, absolute, liquid CO2 extract and liquid CO2 fractions of concrete were analysed by GC and GC/MS. The liquid CO2 fractions were superior in comparison to absolute obtained by conventional way. Manool was the major component and its isolation from Murraya species has been reported. The direct extraction of flowers with liquid CO2 afforded a superior product; however, the process is suitable for extraction in the laboratory only. The liquid CO2 fractionation of concrete is a practical process and liquid CO2 fraction 1 is comparable with direct liquid CO2 flower extract in terms of yield of the chief components.