Optimization of supercritical extraction of Pimpinella affinis Ledeb. using response surface methodology

•CCD based RSM was applied to analyze the effects of the process parameters on the extraction yield of Pimpinella affinis Ledeb. by supercritical CO2.•The oil and extracts were analyzed by GC-FID and GC/MS.•The major constituent detected in extracts was trans-α-bergamotene that is an aromatic compound.•Temperature, pressure and mean particle diameter were identified as significant parameters effecting on extraction yield.•The pressure showed as the most effective parameter on the yield of the process.

In this article response surface methodology (RSM) based on central composite design (CCD) was applied to obtain the optimum conditions and significant parameters in supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) from Pimpinella affinis Ledeb. The extracts were analyzed by GC-FID and GC/MS. The major constituent detected in the extracts was trans-α-bergamotene that is an aromatic compound. The effect of operational parameters such as temperature, pressure, bed porosity and mean particle diameter of dried plant were investigated in this process by a statistical approach. Temperature, pressure and mean particle diameter were identified as significant parameters effecting on extraction yield but bed void fraction had no significant effect. Also, the pressure showed as the most effective parameter on the yield of the process. The results indicated that the optimum conditions could be obtained at temperature of 50.72 °C, pressure of 24.39 MPa, particle diameters of 0.36 mm and bed porosity of 0.4.

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