Extraction of vanilla oleoresin (Vanilla planifolia Andrews) with supercritical CO2

Vanilla oleoresin is a widely used natural product, mainly used as flavor. In this work, the extraction of vanilla oleoresin using supercritical CO2 is evaluated. The main extraction parameters on the oleoresin yield and composition was determined, namely: pressure, temperature, particle size, and contact time. Results indicate that lower particle size favors mass transfer and oleoresin yield. High pressure and temperature also provide higher yields of vanilla oleoresin. Extreme conditions of pressure and temperature decrease the quality of vanillin possibly because of the degradation of some compounds. The maximum concentration of vanillin (97.35% w/w) is found at 408 bars and 40oC, with a mass yield of 5.82% after 40 minutes of dynamic extraction. The extraction of vanilla oleoresin with supercritical CO2 is possible, and optimizing the operational conditions may provide higher oleoresin yield with good vanillin concentration; an economic analysis would be needed to determine the best extraction time.