abstract
Extracts of Eucalyptus globulus leaves were produced and characterized aiming their enrichment in natural bioactive compounds such as triterpenic acids (TTAs). Soxhlet (methanol, ethanol and dichloromethane) and supercritical (CO2 with/without ethanol) extractions performed under different conditions were assessed by the total extraction yield, TTAs extraction yield, and extracts concentration, and the results were compared to published data for bark and/or leaves of other species. A fast and simple dewaxing pretreatment of the leaves was implemented and its influence on extract production was evaluated. The various extracts, the leaves and the pure TTAs were analyzed by Fourier Transform Infra-Red spectroscopy with Attenuated Total Reflectance (FTIR-ATR) and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectroscopy (GC-MS), and the data thoroughly discussed by chemometric methods. Overall, this work provides guidelines for the production of natural extracts enriched in triterpenic acids.
keywords
SUPERCRITICAL-FLUID EXTRACTION; ESSENTIAL OIL COMPONENTS; GLOBULUS BARK; TRITERPENIC ACIDS; URSOLIC ACID; OPERATING-CONDITIONS; EXPERIMENTAL-DESIGN; FTIR SPECTROSCOPY; GC-MS; IDENTIFICATION
subject category
Chemistry; Engineering
authors
Rodrigues, VH; de Melo, MMR; Portugal, I; Silva, CM
our authors
Carlos Manuel Silva
Associate Professor
Inês Portugal
Assistant Professor
Marcelo Morais Rodrigues de Melo
Post-Doc Fellowship
Vitor Hugo dos Louros Rodrigues
PhD Studentacknowledgements
This work was developed in the scope of the project CICECO-Aveiro Institute of Materials (Ref. FCT UID/CTM/50011/2013), financed by national funds through the FCT/MEC and when applicable co-financed by FEDER under the PT2020 Partnership Agreement. Authors thank Mr. Rui Carreira (CMC Biomassa S.A., Leiria, Portugal) for the samples of E. globulus leaves.