Comparison of supercritical fluid and Soxhlet extractions for the quantification of hydrocarbons from Euphorbia macroclada

This study compares conventional Soxhlet extraction and analytical scale supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) for their yields in extracting of hydrocarbons from arid-land plant Euphorbia macroclada. The plant material was firstly sequentially extracted with supercritical carbon dioxide, modified with 10% methanol (v/v) in the optimum conditions that is a pressure of 400 atm and a temperature of 50 °C and then it was sonicated in methylene chloride for an additional 4 h. E. macroclada was secondly extracted by using a Soxhlet apparatus at 30 °C for 8 h in methylene chloride. The validated SFE was then compared to the extraction yield of E. macroclada with a Soxhlet extraction by using the Student’s t-test at the 95% confidence level. All of extracts were fractionated with silica-gel in a glass column to get better hydrocarbon yields. Thus, the highest hydrocarbons yield from E. macroclada was achieved with SFE (5.8%) when it compared with Soxhlet extractions (1.1%). Gas chromatography (GC) analysis was performed to determine the quantitative hydrocarbons from plant material. The greatest quantitative hydrocarbon recovery from GC was obtained by supercritical carbon dioxide extract (0.6 mg g⁻¹).     

Supercritical fluid extraction of sinomenine from Sinomenium acutum (Thumb) Rehd et Wils

Supercritical carbon dioxide, with and without a methanol modifier, was used to extract sinomenine from Sinomenium acutum (Thumb) Rehd et Wils. Sinomenine determinations were carried out using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The results show that the yield obtained after 2.5 h extraction with methanol-modified supercritical carbon dioxide was the highest (7.47 mg/g), while that obtained with only supercritical carbon dioxide was the lowest (0.17 mg/g). The recovery obtained with supercritical carbon dioxide, with and without a methanol modifier, could not be increased greatly by the method of the alkalinization of sample. Higher recoveries were obtained than extraction using methanol in Soxhlet extractor.     

Extraction of a quality assurance sediment sample for polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/F)

An experimental design for two variables at three and four levels was used to investigate the Soxhlet extraction of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins/ dibenzofurans (PCDD/F) from a quality assurance sediment. The first variable was the solvent: toluene/methanol, toluene (both Soxhlet) and toluene in Soxhlet-Dean-Stark equipment. The second variable were four different bulks: silica, sulfuric acid treated silica, sodium carbonate and no bulk. Extractions with toluene/methanol and sulfuric acid provided only a small contribution to the overall extraction efficiency. Toluene/methanol preferably improved the extraction of PCDD, and the sulfuric acid improved the PCDF extraction. This was likely to reflect improved extraction efficiency of substructures in the sediment as pulp effluent remains (fiber) and fly-ash particulate. A previously found PCDD formation in extractions using toluene/methanol in presence of sodium carbonate was reproduced. A designed supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) experiment was also accomplished, however even under the best used conditions some PCDD/F were retained on the particulate compared to Soxhlet extraction. Variations in extraction efficiency in Soxhlet and SFE indicated that different subfractions of PCDD/F are connected to the matrix with different mechanisms, thus indicating that different PCDD/F fractions had different abilities to equilibrate also in the real environment.     

Extraction of a quality assurance sediment sample for polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/F)

An experimental design for two variables at three and four levels was used to investigate the Soxhlet extraction of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins/ dibenzofurans (PCDD/F) from a quality assurance sediment. The first variable was the solvent: toluene/methanol, toluene (both Soxhlet) and toluene in Soxhlet-Dean-Stark equipment. The second variable were four different bulks: silica, sulfuric acid treated silica, sodium carbonate and no bulk. Extractions with toluene/methanol and sulfuric acid provided only a small contribution to the overall extraction efficiency. Toluene/methanol preferably improved the extraction of PCDD, and the sulfuric acid improved the PCDF extraction. This was likely to reflect improved extraction efficiency of substructures in the sediment as pulp effluent remains (fiber) and fly-ash particulate. A previously found PCDD formation in extractions using toluene/methanol in presence of sodium carbonate was reproduced. A designed supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) experiment was also accomplished, however even under the best used conditions some PCDD/F were retained on the particulate compared to Soxhlet extraction. Variations in extraction efficiency in Soxhlet and SFE indicated that different subfractions of PCDD/F are connected to the matrix with different mechanisms, thus indicating that different PCDD/F fractions had different abilities to equilibrate also in the real environment. Received: 5 December 1997 / Revised: 9 February 1998 / Accepted: 15 February 1998     

Supercritical fluid extraction of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin from sediment samples

Supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) is a promising technique for the extraction of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (2,3,7,8-TCDD) from environmental matrices such as contaminated sediments. The ability of SFE to solubilize many organic contaminants is well documented in industrial processes but its analytical applications were exploited just recently. In this study supercritical carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide and their mixtures with 2% methanol were used to extract 2,3,7,8-TCDD from aquatic sediments. An attractive feature of this process is that the carbon dioxide, being a virtually inert fluid, leaves no solvent residue on the processed sediment. Almost 100% of the 2,3,7,8-TCDD can be extracted from a sediment spiked with 200 μg/kg 2,3,7,8-TCDD in 30 minutes by using supercritical carbon dioxide + 2% methanol. Cleanup procedure is compared with the Soxhlet extraction procedure currently used as a standard method for extracting dioxins from sediment samples.     

Extraction of atrazine and its metabolites using supercritical fluids and enhanced-fluidity liquids

Supercritical fluid and enhanced-fluidity liquid extractions are performed on spiked sediment samples containing atrazine (ATRA) and five of its metabolites including desisopropyldesethylatrazine, desethylhydroxyatrazine (DEHA), desisopropylatrazine, desethylatrazine, and hydroxyatrazine (HA). The hydroxylated metabolites are of particular interest because of their increased water solubility and the fact that their high polarity makes them difficult to analyze. Soxhlet extractions using methanol are conducted for the purpose of comparison. Results of the extractions show that the hydroxy-containing metabolites of ATRA are not effectively extracted with supercritical CO2 alone. The solvating or desorbing power of carbon dioxide appears too low to extract HA and DEHA. The extraction recoveries of the hydroxylated metabolites increase when enhanced-fluidity liquid mixtures of methanol/CO2 are used, and these rates increase with the methanol concentration. Enhanced-fluidity ternary liquid mixtures of H2O/methanol/CO2 yield the best recoveries for these compounds. ATRA recoveries are equally effective when using supercritical CO2 or enhanced-fluidity mixtures. The other nonhydroxy-containing metabolites require the increased solvent strength of either large percentages of methanol in CO2 or ternary mixtures of H2O, methanol, and CO2 for high recoveries. Recoveries with enhanced-fluidity liquid ternary mixtures are better than the recoveries from Soxhlet for all the compounds in the study.     

Supercritical fluid extraction of vapor-deposited pyrene from carbonaceous coal stack ash

The efficiencies of extraction of vapor-deposited pyrene from a high-carbon coal stack ash by Soxhlet extraction with methanol, ultrasonic extraction with toluene, acid pretreatment and subsequent ultrasonic extraction with toluene, batch extraction with toluene, and supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) are compared. SFE using CO(2) or isobutane yielded extraction recoveries virtually identical with those obtained using ultrasonic or Soxhlet extraction processes. Collection of the SFE extract was performed by expansion into a solvent or onto the head of a gas chromatography (GC) column. No loss of extracted pyrene was observed upon collection of methanol-modified CO(2) SFE by expansion into methanol. Also, no loss of pure CO(2) SFE extract was observed upon collection on the head of a GC column. However, use of a methanol or toluene modifier for CO(2) SFE directly coupled to GC effected complete loss of extracted pyrene.     

Comparisons of soxhlet extraction, pressurized liquid extraction, supercritical fluid extraction and subcritical water extraction for environmental solids: recovery, selectivity and effects on sample matrix

Extractions of a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH)-contaminated soil from a former manufactured gas plant site were performed with a Soxhlet apparatus (18 h), by pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) (50 min at 100 degrees C), supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) (1 h at 150 degrees C with pure CO2), and subcritical water (1 h at 250 degrees C, or 30 min at 300 degrees C). Although minor differences in recoveries for some PAHs resulted from the different methods, quantitative agreement between all of the methods was generally good. However, the extract quality differed greatly. The organic solvent extracts (Soxhlet and PLE) were much darker, while the extracts from subcritical water (collected in toluene) were orange, and the extracts from SFE (collected in CH2Cl2) were light yellow. The organic solvent extracts also yielded more artifact peaks in the gas chromatography (GC)-mass spectrometry and GC-flame ionization detection chromatograms, especially compared to supercritical CO2. Based on elemental analysis (carbon and nitrogen) of the soil residues after each extraction, subcritical water, PLE, and Soxhlet extraction had poor selectivity for PAHs versus bulk soil organic matter (approximately 1/4 to 1/3 of the bulk soil organic matter was extracted along with the PAHs), while SFE with pure CO2 removed only 8% of the bulk organic matrix. Selectivities for different compound classes also vary with extraction method. Extraction of urban air particulate matter with organic solvents yields very high concentrations of n- and branched alkanes (approximately C18 to C30) from diesel exhaust as well as lower levels of PAHs, and no selectivity between the bulk alkanes and PAHs is obtained during organic solvent extraction. Some moderate selectivity with supercritical CO2 can be achieved by first extracting the bulk alkanes at mild conditions, followed by stronger conditions to extract the remaining PAHs, i.e., the least polar organics are the easiest organics to extract with pure CO2. In direct contrast, subcritical water prefers the more polar analytes, i.e., PAHs were efficiently extracted from urban air particulates at 250 degrees C, with little or no extraction of the alkanes. Finally, recent work has demonstrated that many pollutant molecules become "sequestered" as they age for decades in the environment (i.e., more tightly bound to soil particles and less available to organisms or transport). Therefore, it may be more important for an extraction method to only recover pollutant molecules that are environmentally-relevant, rather than the conventional attempts to extract all pollutant molecules regardless of how tightly bound they are to the soil or sediment matrix. Initial work comparing SFE extraction behavior using mild to strong conditions with bioremediation behavior of PAHs shows great promise to develop extraction methodology to measure environmentally-relevant concentrations of pollutants in addition to their total concentrations.     

Supercritical fluid extraction and liquid chromatography-electrospray mass analysis of vinblastine from Catharanthus roseus

Supercritical fluid extraction using carbon dioxide modified with methanol, methanol-diethylamine, or methanol-triethylamine was used to extract vinblastine from the aerial portions of Catharanthus roseus. An HPLC-electrospray ionization (ESI)/MS analysis method was also developed to quantify the alkaloids in these extracts. Of the supercritical solvents evaluated, carbon dioxide-methanol-triethylamine (80 : 18 : 2) at 80 degrees C and 34.0 MPa greatly improved the supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) yield of vinblastine by as much as 76.4% over methanol extraction, while the other solvent conditions extracted the compound at yields less than 25% that of a methanol extraction. These results were confirmed by the robust HPLC-ESI/MS analytical method developed in this study.     

Development of supercritical fluid extraction with a solid-phase trapping for fast estimation of toxic load of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins-dibenzofurans in sawmill soil

A method consisting of automated supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) with simultaneous cleanup by a solid-phase trap was developed for fast analysis of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and dibenzofurans (PCDFs) in soil. SFE was optimised to replace conventional liquid-based methods in routine analyses of PCDD/PCDFs in sawmill soil contaminated by a chlorophenol formulation. PCDD/PCDFs were quantitatively extracted in 60 min using CO2 at 400 atm and 100 degrees C without a modifier. A trap containing a small amount of activated carbon mixed with Celite efficiently collected PCDD/PCDFs after SFE. After SFE co-extracted impurities were eluted out from the trap with 4 ml of hexane and PCDD/PCDFs were eluted with 10 ml of toluene. The concentrations and TCDD-equivalent of PCDD/PCDFs corresponded to the results of traditional solvent extraction method (Soxhlet) in six sawmill soils tested. The performance of the trap was maintained over a long period of time (nearly 100 extractions).     

Selective extraction of hydrocarbons, phosphonates and phosphonic acids from soils by successive supercritical fluid and pressurized liquid extractions

Hydrocarbons, dialkyl alkylphosphonates and alkyl alkylphosphonic acids are selectively extracted from spiked soils by successive implementation of supercritical carbon dioxide, supercritical methanol-modified carbon dioxide and pressurized water. More than 95% of hydrocarbons are extracted during the first step (pure supercritical carbon dioxide extraction) whereas no organophosphorus compound is evidenced in this first extract. A quantitative extraction of phosphonates is achieved during the second step (methanol-modified supercritical carbon dioxide extraction). Polar phosphonic acids are extracted during a third step (pressurized water extraction) and analyzed by gas chromatography under methylated derivatives (diazomethane derivatization). Global recoveries for these compounds are close to 80%, a loss of about 20% occurring during the derivatization process (co-evaporation with solvent). The developed selective extraction method was successfully applied to a soil sample during an international collaborative exercise.     

Evaluation of dithiocarbamates and beta-diketones as chelating agents in supercritical fluid extraction of Cd, Pb, and Hg from solid samples

The use of four dithiocarbamates and three fluorinated β-diketones as potential chelating agents for three transition metal ions (Cd²⁺, Pb²⁺, and Hg²⁺) extracted from spiked sand and filter paper samples by supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) was investigated. The extractions were performed at 45°C and 250 atm for spiked sand samples and at 60°C and 200 atm for filter paper samples using supercritical carbon dioxide modified with 5% methanol. At 250 atm and using carbon dioxide modified with 5% methanol, the recoveries of Cd²⁺, Pb²⁺, and Hg²⁺ ions from spiked sand samples were 95% with lithium bis(trifluoroethyl)dithiocarbamate (LiFDDC) as the chelating agent; they ranged from 83–97% with diethylammonium diethyldithiocarbamate and from 87–97% with sodium di-ethyldithiocarbamate as chelating agents, and from 68–96% with trifluoracetylacetone, hexafluoroacetylacetone, and thenoylfluoroacetone as chelating agents. Ammonium pyrrolidinedithiocarbamate was not effective in the chelation SFE of Cd²⁺, Pb²⁺, and Hg²⁺ ions from either spiked sand or spiked filter paper samples under the extraction conditions used. Supercritical carbon dioxide alone gave consistently lower analyte recoveries than supercritical carbon dioxide modified with 5% methanol. The results suggest that the solubility of the metal chelate in the supercritical fluid plays a more important role than the solubility of the chelating agent in the supercritical fluid, as long as sufficient chelating agent is present in the fluid phase. Fluorination of the chelating agent, as in the case of LiFDDC, increases the solubility of the metal chelate, and subsequently enhances the extraction efficiency for the metal ions.     

Designing supercritical carbon dioxide extraction of rice bran oil that contain oryzanols using response surface methodology

This study examines the supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO(2)) extraction of oryzanols contained rice bran oil from powdered rice bran. The extraction efficiencies and concentration factors of oryzanols, free fatty acids and triglycerides in the SC-CO(2) extracts were determined. With top-flow type SC-CO(2) extraction the total oil yield was 18.1% and the extraction efficiencies of oryzanols and triglycerides were 88.5 and 91.3% respectively, when 2750 g CO(2 )was consumed during the extraction of 35 g rice bran powder. The concentration factors of oryzanols and triglycerides in SC-CO(2)-extracted oil were higher than in the Soxhlet n-hexane extracted oil. SC-CO(2) extractions indicated that pressure can be used more effectively than temperature to enhance the extraction efficiency and concentration factor of oryzanols. A two-factor central composite scheme of response surface methodology was employed to determine the optimal pressure (300 bar) and temperature (313 K) for increasing the concentration of oryzanols in the SC-CO(2) extracted oil.     

Supercritical Carbon Dioxide Extraction of Salidroside from Rhodiola rosea L var. rosea Root

Salidroside from the root of Rhodiola rosea L var. rosea was extracted by supercritical carbon dioxide with and without methanol as modifier. Three parameters, i.e. temperature, pressure and different concentrations of methanol were optimized. Salidroside determinations were carried out using high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with UV‐Vis detector. An experimental design of response surface methodology (RSM) was used to map the effect of pressure (at 200, 300 and 400 bar), temperature (at 50, 60 and 70 °C) and percentage of methanol modifier (at 80, 90 and 100%) on the extraction yield of the active compound and to determine the optimal conditions for the extraction of salidroside from the root of plant. The results showed that supercritical carbon dioxide failed to extract salidroside from the plant material without a methanol as modifier. The yield obtained after 1.5 h extraction with the rate of modifier 0.4 mL/min and 300 bar, 70 °C, and 80 percent of methanol modifier condition was the highest (17.15 mg/g). The optimum conditions were 70 °C, 295.49 bar and 80 percent of methanol as modifier with the yield of 16.17 mg/g. In addition, the yield obtained with supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) was compared with the Soxhlet extraction, whose yield was 8.64 mg/g.     

Seed oil extraction with supercritical carbon dioxide modified with pentane

Chromatographia - Soybean, wheat germ, sunflower and peanut oils were extracted with supercritical carbon dioxide modified with pentane. The extractions were optimized by chemometric methods using...     

Certified reference material for quantification of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and toxic elements in tunnel dust (NMIJ CRM 7308-a) from the National Metrology Institute of Japan

The National Metrology Institute of Japan has issued a certified reference material of tunnel dust for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and toxic element analyses. PAH certification was performed using isotope dilution mass spectrometry with deuterium-labeled PAHs as internal standards. Three extraction techniques (microwave-assisted extraction with toluene/methanol, Soxhlet extraction with toluene, and pressurized liquid extraction with toluene) were used, and the extracts were measured by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry with two different columns. For values of PAHs, 11 PAHs are provided as certified values between 0.294 and 20.3 mg/kg, and five PAHs are provided as information values. Certified values of five toxic elements (Cr, Ni, Pb, Mn, and Cd) obtained from microwave-assisted digestions and a combination of measurement techniques are also provided between 43.4 and 10.71 × 10³ mg/kg.     

Efficiency of Different Methods and Solvents for the Extraction of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons from Soils

The efficiencies of supercritical fluid extraction (SFE), accelerated solvent extraction (ASE), Soxhlet, and ultrasonic extraction in the analysis of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in soils were evaluated. Solvents with different polarity were used to extract the PAHs from two soils, one with high and one with low contamination level. ASE showed good results with all solvents almost independent of the solvent polarity and the best results with acetone-toluene (1 : 1). Ultrasonic extraction with acetone-toluene for the uncontaminated soil and acetone-ethanolamine for the highly contaminated also showed good recoveries. The time-consuming Soxhlet extraction with pentane or dichloromethane was less effective. The PAH recovery from SFE was related to the soil matrix or the contamination level. The best extraction conditions (CO 2 /10% pentane) are successful for the soil with a low contamination level and a high humic acid content whereas the extractions of the highly contaminated soil gave poor results irrespective of the solvent used.     

若干芳香化湿类及理气类中药的超临界二氧化碳萃取研究

对苍术、砂仁、香附等若干芳香化湿类及理气类中药进行了超临界CO2 萃取 ,并对其中部分萃取产物的组成进行了GC和GC -MS分析。结果显示 ,超临界CO2 萃取产物的质量与出油率较传统水蒸气蒸馏产物均有较大改善和提高     

Supercritical fluid extraction in plant essential and volatile oil analysis

The use of supercritical fluids, especially carbon dioxide, in the extraction of plant volatile components has increased during two last decades due to the expected advantages of the supercritical extraction process. Supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) is a rapid, selective and convenient method for sample preparation prior to the analysis of compounds in the volatile product of plant matrices. Also, SFE is a simple, inexpensive, fast, effective and virtually solvent-free sample pretreatment technique. This review provides a detailed and updated discussion of the developments, modes and applications of SFE in the isolation of essential oils from plant matrices. SFE is usually performed with pure or modified carbon dioxide, which facilitates off-line collection of extracts and on-line coupling with other analytical methods such as gas, liquid and supercritical fluid chromatography. In this review, we showed that a number of factors influence extraction yields, these being solubility of the solute in the fluid, diffusion through the matrix and collection process. Finally, SFE has been compared with conventional extraction methods in terms of selectivity, rapidity, cleanliness and possibility of manipulating the composition of the extract.     

Ultrasonic/Soxhlet/supercritical fluid extraction kinetics of pyrethrins from flowers and allethrin from paper strips

Three different extraction methods (ultrasonic extraction (USE), Soxhlet extraction (SOX) and supercritical fluid extraction (SFE)) were compared for the extraction of pyrethrins from chrysanthemic flowers and commercial insecticide powder. Allethrin was extracted from paper strips. All extracts and the kinetics were analyzed by supercritical fluid chromatography and flame ionization detector. Received: 18 January 1999 / Revised: 29 June 1999 / /Accepted: 30 June 1999