Comparison of Super Critical Fluid Extraction and Hydrodistillation Methods on Lavander΄s Essential Oil Composition and Yield

  Background: Lavender’s essential oil is commonly used in aromatherapy and massage. Its major clinical benefits are on the central nervous system. Linalyl acetate and linalool are the most predominant chemical constituents in the essential oil of Lavandula angustifolia.   Objective: Comparison of super critical fluid extraction (SCFE) and hydrodistillation (HD) methods on Lavander΄s essential oil composition and yield methods.   Method: In this work we extracted essential oil of this plant with two different methods SCFE and HD and further analyzed by GC and GC-MS method.   Results: seventeen compounds were identified in the oil which prepared by HD, the major components of them were j. pinene (35.9%) and lavandulyl acetate (14.1%). In the SCFE extracted sample, the most frequent components were linalyl acetate (73.5%) and lavandulyl acetate (7.5%). Conclusion: According to obvious difference in the composition of the essential oils prepared by two different methods (SCFE & HD), it seems that extraction method differ chemical composition of the oil and probably affects pharmacological properties.