Supercritical Fluid Extraction of Bioactive Compounds from Chamomile Leaves Grown in Tarma, Peru

Chamomile flowers are established in the industry due to their therapeutic characteristics. The leaves are an underused fraction of chamomile production that contains phytochemicals with bioactive properties. This work investigated the extraction of chamomile leaves with supercritical CO₂ (SC-CO₂). The effect of supercritical extraction conditions was evaluated on extraction yield, and the mass transfer process was analyzed by modeling the overall extraction curve (OEC) with empirical and mass balance-based models. Gas chromatography coupled with a mass spectrometer (GC-MS) was used to determine the volatile compounds of the extract. The highest extract yield (1.52 ± 0.01%) was obtained at 300 bar and 45 °C, although similar yields were obtained under conditions of 200 bar/45 °C, 200 bar/35 °C, and 350 bar/35 °C. The 2-straight-line spline promoted the best adjustment to the OEC and described convection as the dominant mass transfer mechanism. The compounds (Z)-2-(Hexa-2,4-diyn-1-ylidene)-1,6-dioxaspiro[4.4]non-3-ene, 2H-1-Benzopyran-2-one,7-methoxy-, cis-beta-Farnesene, alpha-Farnesene, phytol, and (E)-2-(Hepta-2,4-diyn-1-ylidene)-1,6-dioxaspiro[4.4]non-3-ene were the most abundant in the chamomile leaves extracts. SFE extract from chamomile leaves is a promising source of phytochemicals for producing functional products.