Comparison of Supercritical and Subcritical Extraction of Volatile Components from Mentha australis
The volatile components of mint were extracted by supercritical carbon dioxide and subcritical butane extraction, and analyzed by GC-MS. The results showed that the yield of supercritical CO2 extraction was 2.5% and that of subcritical butane extraction was 1.4%. The GC-MS analysis of supercritical CO2 showed that 21 volatile components were extracted, and the relative content of menthol was 70.33%. The volatile components of subcritical butane extraction were 11, and the relative content of menthol was 60.83%. Supercritical CO2 extraction is superior to subcritical butane extraction for volatile components of Mentha australis.
Keywords: Australian mint extraction, supercritical CO2 extraction of mint