TITLE:
Use of SFC in Extraction of Adaptogens from Brazilian Plants
AUTHORS:
Marcelle Fernanda Carulo
KEYWORDS:
Chromatography; Supercritical; Extraction; Plants; Adaptogens
JOURNAL NAME:
American Journal of Analytical Chemistry,
Vol.3 No.12A,
December
31,
2012
ABSTRACT: Bioactive substances found in plants are very interesting
because of their importance in medicine and foods. Species of Pfaffia genre is common in Brazil, the
largest center of collection of this species. Statistics report that 11,000 tons
of roots and other plants were exported in 2011. Due to the large market
demand, a growth of 10% per year is estimated. One of the promising areas of
study involves the supercritical fluid extraction of active compounds present
in plants. The current goal is to reduce dependence on foreign markets. The
extraction of bioactive compound known as Beta-Ecdysone has been studied.
Statistics show that profits of exports coming from the raw material is almost
ten times smaller than the extract itself. Considering this fact, we emphasize
the importance of an alternative method of industrial extraction in Brazil
using supercritical technology, which proves to be environmentally safe.