Extraction of Sugi (Cruptomeria japonica D. Don) with Supercritical Carbon Dioxide

Abstract

The sawdust of Sugi (Cryptomeria japonica D. Don) was extracted with supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO₂) at 27.0 MPa and 313 K to obtain the essential oil which corresponded to 19.8% of the hexane extract. GC-MS analysis of the neutral parts of both extracts revealed that SC-CO₂ extract contained moderate amount of sesquiterpenes which we re f ound in the hexane extract as trace components. Furthermore it was found that SC-CO₂ extract did not contain two phenanthrene derivatives which were included in the hexane extract, but contained other two phenanthrene derivatives which were not found in the hexane extract. Microscopical observation of the wood suggested that above mentioned discrepancy was due to a difference of osmotic action between SC-CO₂ and hexane for the contents of the ray parenchyma or longitudinal wood parenchyma.