Effluence of thymol content by supercritical fluid extraction system from ajwain (Trachyspermum ammi L.)

Abstract Supercritical fluid extraction has emerged as a highly efficient and selective method for extracting essential oils from spices. The aim of this study was to investigate the outcomes of supercritical fluid extraction in terms of both yield and extraction of valuable essential oil from ajwain. Factors such as temperature (35 to 55°C), pressure (100 to 300 bar), dynamic duration (30 to 150 min), and static time (30 to 90 min) were evaluated to determine the concentration of thymol through the use of a central composite design for supercritical fluid extraction, and the extraction process was optimized. The optimal factors were found to be 35°C, 300 bar pressure, 65 minutes of dynamic time, and 30 minutes of static time. The essential oil yield with a thymol content of 60% was 3.9%.