Superheated Water Extraction of Lavandula Latifolia Medik Volatiles: Comparison with Conventional Techniques

A comparative study of superheated water extraction (SWE) with two conventional volatile isolation methods including hydrodistillation and Soxhlet extraction was performed on spike lavender (Lavandula latifolia Medik.). The effect of operating conditions such as temperatures from 100-175 degrees C, pressures from 20-40 bar and flow rates from 1-4 mL/min on the extraction process was investigated. The experiments were carried out using a laboratory-built apparatus. Separation and identification of the components were carried out by GC-FID and GUMS. The SWE of L. latifolia shows the highest extraction efficiency at 150 degrees C, 3 mL/min and 20 bar. At the optimum operating conditions, the extraction efficiency was as high as that for hydrodistillation and Soxhlet extraction methods. The SWE method was quicker and more selective for the valuable oxygenated constituents.