Solubility of three monoterpenes, their mixtures and eucalyptus leaf oils in dense carbon dioxide

The solubility of 1,8-cineole, alpha-pinene, limonene, their mixtures and the extract of eucalyptus leaf oils in supercritical carbon dioxide were determined using the dynamic method at 80, 100, 150, and 250 bar and 40 and 60 degreesC for each pressure. The results showed an increase in the solubility of all oils with an increase in pressure and a decrease with temperature. The mixtures of both pure blends as well as the eucalyptus oil extracts exhibited lower solubility than the pure single oil components in the same conditions. The oil of E. radiata exhibited a better separation of 1,8-cineole at 80 bar and 60 degreesC. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.