Fractionation of crude pyrethrum extract using supercritical carbon dioxide

Abstract

Fractionation of pyrethrum extract (crude extract) using supercritical fluid carbon dioxide shows that fixed oils and pyrethrin could be separated in a supercritical extractor with two separators in series. In the first separator, more oil, which is less volatile, is obtained and in the second separator, more of the pyrethrin is obtained. Fractionation of ground pyrethrum flowers extract gives 24% pyrethrin in the first separator and 34% in the second separator. In the case of fractionation of crude hexane extract (oleoresin), the percentage of pyrethrin in second separator is twice that in first separator. In all cases, the product obtained is solid because of the waxes, which are fractionated in both separators.