Extraction of rotenoids from Derris elliptica using supercritical CO2.

BACKGROUND: Supercritical (SC)‐CO2 extraction of rotenoids from Derris elliptica roots was proposed using fractional separation of the extracts and operating at increasing pressure. RESULTS: The best processing conditions were found at 200 bar, 40 °C and 1.2 kg h−1 SC‐CO2 flow rate, obtaining a final product with a concentration of 93% w/w of rotenone and rotenoids, and a yield of active principles of 6.70% w/w with respect to the vegetable matrix. Very small quantities of waxes were found, up to 0.05% w/w; this result can be explained considering the reduced surface‐to‐volume ratio of this vegetable material. CONCLUSION: Extraction kinetics data confirmed that, in this case, the extraction process was controlled by solubility limitation of the active compounds in the supercritical solvent. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]