SUPERCRITICAL FLUID CO2 EXTRACTION ON LICHEN Usnea barbata L.

Abstract

Non-conventional separation procedure - supercritical fluid CO₂ extraction (SFE-CO₂) conforms to the strict demands of the precise process eco-technologies. It represents a perspective method especially in obtaining eco-friendly extracts from vegetable and animal raw materials. The influence of operating parameters (raw material’ granulation, extraction fluid’ flow rate, operating pressure, operating temperature and extraction time) on the yield of extract and usnic acid, has been studied throughout the extraction process on Usnea barbata L., by application of supercritical CO₂ (SFE-CO₂). The separation process in all experiments was conducted at operating temperature of 25 °C and operating pressure of 50-55 bar. The extraction of active components from the lichens by supercritical CO₂ was performed in a highpressure, extraction “pilot-plant” for processing solid raw materials.