Dynamics of supercritical extraction of biological active substances from the Juniperus communis var. saxatillis

•The supercritical extracts of Juniperus communis var. saxatillis are richer in components than the essential oil.•The composition of sample extracted under 10 MPa is similar to the essential oil.•The rise of pressure during the supercritical extraction process provides an increase in sesquiterpenes and diterpenes yields.•The bulk of monoterpenes is extracted at 10 MPa (t = 40 °C is constant).

The supercritical (SC) CO2 extraction at different pressures up to 30 MPa was made with the purpose of defining the dynamics of biologically active substances from a juniper (Juniperus communis var. saxatillis). A temperature 40 °C was constant for all SC extraction processes. The supercritical extracts were shown to be more abundant by the compositions than an essential oil, and the extract obtained at 10 MPa was compositionally similar to the essential oil. The essential oil was obtained by a steam distillation in the Clevenger apparatus. Component compositions of extracts and the essential oil were determined by GC MS method. Fundings of investigations indicated that the yield of sesquiterpenes and diterpenes increased with a pressure rise.

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