Mathematical modeling of supercritical carbon dioxide extraction of methyl eugenol from tuberose flowers

摘要

Methyl eugenol-rich extracts from dried tuberose flowers (Polianthes tuberosa L.) of Calcutta single variety were obtained using supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO2) extraction. The optimized conditions for highest yield of methyl eugenol were 50 A degrees C, 300 bar, 135 min with 1 L min(-1) flow rate of gaseous CO2. Solubilities of methyl eugenol under different SC-CO2 extraction conditions were evaluated by Hildebrand solubility parameter and Chrastil equation. The extraction curve of methyl eugenol followed plug flow model. Steady state extraction occurred up to 100min, followed by unsteady state. Release of methyl eugenol from tuberose flowers followed first-order kinetics (Peppas model) and non-Fickian diffusion. Packed bed characterization was carried out using dimensionless numbers of mass transfer, considering steady and unsteady states of extraction. These findings could be used in the development of the pilot plant and commercial scale extraction of methyl eugenol from floral matrices.