Supercritical Fluid Extraction of Peruvian Schinus molle Leaves: Yield, Kinetics, Mathematical Modeling, and Chemical Composition

Paucarchuco-Soto J.; Padilla Pacahuala G.; Cuadrado Campó W.J.; Chagua-Rodríguez P.; Maceda Santivañez J.C.; Santana Á.L.; Meireles M.A.A.; Chañi-Paucar L.O. · Processes (2025) · DOI: 10.3390/pr13072191

Resumen

According to the literature, Schinus molle (SM) is an important source of bioactive phytochemicals, but the phytochemical content and composition of this species, which grows in high Andean geographic zones such as Tarma (Peru), is not known. In an effort to fill this gap, our work investigated the supercritical carbon dioxide extraction of SM leaves at three temperature levels (35, 45, and 55 °C) and three pressure levels (150, 250, and 350 bar). The results revealed the highest yield of extract at 150 bar, 45 °C, and 3.28 g CO2/min. Under these conditions, the overall extraction curves (OEC) were modeled using the Spline, logistic, and Esquível models, allowing the generation of mass transfer parameters for SFE at the optimized conditions, resulting in a similar correlation with experimental data. Twenty-six compounds were identified in the SFE extract of SM leaves. The most abundant compound classes were sesquiterpenoids (57.17%), sesquiterpenes (24.50%), and triterpenoids (10.48%); of each class, the most abundant compounds were shyobunol (33.60%), bicyclogermacrene (12.68%), and lupeone (6.58%), respectively. The compounds detected possess bioactive properties that support further studies on the application of SFE extracts of SM as a functional ingredient in commercial products.

Instituciones: Universidad Nacional Autónoma Altoandina de Tarma