A comparison between the oil, hexane extract and Supercritical carbon dioxide extract of Juniperus communis L.

Volatile compounds from the berries of common juniper (Juniperus communis L.)were isolated by hydrodistillation, hexane extraction and supercritical CO2 extraction. The hydrodistillation yield was 2.17%, the hexane extraction yield 5.31% and supercritical CO2 extraction Yield 0.96%. Their compositions were compared using GC/MS as the method of analysis. Analyses reveal that samples differ quantitatively and qualitatively. The concentrations of monoterpene hydrocarbons (alpha-pinene, sabinene, myrcene) were higher in the hydrodistilled oil, while some less volatile compounds were present in extracts, especially in the hexane extract.