Green solvents in extractions of biochemical components and essential oils

S ciljem očuvanja okoliša, znanstvenici se okreću otkrivanju novih metoda koje su u skladu s principima zelene kemije. Dio problema čine industrije koje provode razne ekstrakcije i pritom stvaraju velike otpadne količine organskih otapala koja su štetna za prirodu. Upravo zbog toga, danas se istražuju metode koje koriste zelena otapala poput vode i etanola, te netoplinske metode koje nastoje skratiti vrijeme ekstrakcije. U ovom radu istražen je učinak visokonaponskog pražnjenja na ekstrakciju fenolnih spojeva iz majčine dušice uz alternativna otapala vodu i etanol. Najveći prinos ekstrakcije postignut je upotrebom 50% vodene otopine etanola, napona 30kV i frekvencije 150Hz. U većem broju eksperimenata voda se pokazala kao prikladnije otapalo s većim prinosom koncentracije fenolnih spojeva.With the goal of preservation of environment, scientists are turning around and trying to find new methods that are within the principles of the green chemistry. Part of the problem is industries that conduct varies extractions while producing large amounts of organic solvents as waste. Nowadays, methods which use green solvents such as water and ethanol are explored, and non-thermic methods that try to shorten the time of extraction. In this paper, the effect of highvoltage discharges during extraction of phenolic compounds with alternative solvents such as water and ethanol is explored. The biggest yield is accomplished with use of 50% aqueous ethanol solution, voltage of 30kV and frequency of 150Hz. In most experiments, water has been proved as more appropriate solvent with higher yield of concentration of phenolic compounds