Comparing the effect of sub-critical water extraction with conventional extraction methods on the chemical composition of Lavandula stoechas

The volatile extract composition of Lavandula stoechas flowers obtained by hydrodistillation (HD), subcrtical water extraction (SbCWE) and organic solvent extraction under ultrasonic irradiation (USE) were estimated by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). One hundred and twenty four components were detected in SbCWE extracts while 94 and 65 signals were gained from HD and USE extracts, respectively. Most of the constituents were identified. The major compounds in all three extracts were fenchon, camphor, myrtenyl acetate, myrtenol and 1,8-cineol, but they differ in quantitatively. The total monoterpene hydrocarbons are higher in HD and USE extracts than those of SbCWE extract. However, SbCWE extract had higher concentration of light oxygenated compounds which contributes to the fragrance of the oil in a major extension. Heavy-oxygenated compounds was also in higher abundance in SbCWE extract (9.90%) than those of HD and USE extracts (3.19 and 4.78%, respectively). Effect of temperature on the extraction yield of SbCWE was investigated and while oil yield was increasing with an increase in temperature, a decrease in the extraction ability of sub-critical water toward the more polar compounds such as, 1,8-cineol, camphor and fenchon, was observed. Kinetic studies shown that SbCWE is clearly quicker than conventional alternatives. Most of components of volatile compounds were extracted at 15 min. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.