Supercritical Carbon Dioxide Extraction of Nicotiana tabacum Leaves: Optimization of Extraction Yield and Nicotine Content

HIGHLIGHTS: Nicotine was extracted from varieties Samsun and Virginia tobacco leaves using supercritical CO(2) extraction. Response surface methodology was used to find factors that influence the supercritical CO(2) extraction of tobacco leaves. The highest nicotine relative amount was at lower pressure (15 MPa), temperature of 50 °C and during 90 min extraction time. The quantity of nicotine and phytochemical composition in different tobacco varieties is specific. ABSTRACT: The employment of supercritical carbon dioxide extraction for obtaining the chemical compounds from N. tabacum leaves, especially nicotine, is advancing. The supercritical carbon dioxide extraction of dried N. tabacum cv. Samsun and N. tabacum cv. Virginia at different process parameters was performed to obtain the highest extraction yield and nicotine relative amount. The optimal extraction conditions concerning the highest extraction yield and nicotine relative amount were determined by response surface methodology. The highest extraction yield for N. tabacum cv. Samsun was 2.99% and for N. tabacum cv. Virginia 2.33% at 23.41 MPa, 50 °C and 90 min of extraction time. The highest nicotine relative amount in N. tabacum cv. Samsun and N. tabacum cv. Virginia was at 15 MPa, 50 °C and 90 min extraction time and was 242.1 mg per 100 g of plant material and 32.4 mg per 100 g of plant material, respectively. The pressure, temperature and time influenced the extraction yield and nicotine relative amount recovery in N. tabacum cv. Samsun and N. tabacum cv. Virginia. A general inclusive concept in respect to pressure, temperature and time of the supercritical carbon dioxide extraction and a report on phytochemicals present in two N. tabacum varieties is presented.