Salvia Rosmarinus Extraction Process

The industrial-scale extraction of Salvia Rosmarinus follows: volatile terpenes (essential oils) and lipid-soluble/water-soluble antioxidants (carnosic acid, carnosol).

I. Salvia Rosmarinus Essential Oil (Terpenes; primarily containing eucalyptol, camphor, and α-pinene)

1. Pre-treatment

Raw Materials: Fresh branches and leaves / Dried branches and leaves (Moisture content ≤ 10%)

Grinding: 20–40 mesh (Should not be ground too finely, to prevent clogging during distillation)

2. Steam Distillation (The industrial mainstream method; yield: 0.8–2.2%)

Material-to-Liquid Ratio: 1:6–8

Steam Pressure: 0.05–0.1 MPa (Low-pressure, gentle distillation)

Distillation Temperature: 95–100°C

Distillation Duration: 3–5 hours (The first hour yields the high-purity "head oil")

Equipment: 304 stainless steel distillation tank, tubular condenser, oil-water separator

Post-processing: Drying with anhydrous sodium sulfate for 4–6 hours → Filtration → Finished Essential Oil

3. Supercritical CO₂ Extraction (High-end, solvent-free method; yield: 2–4%)

Temperature: 35–45°C

Pressure: 25–35 MPa

Duration: 90–120 minutes

Advantages: Retains a higher proportion of oxygenated terpenes, resulting in a more complete aromatic profile; leaves no solvent residues.

II. Salvia Rosmarinus Extract (Antioxidants; Carnosic Acid content: ≥ 5–90%)

1. Raw Materials

Dried leaves (Contain the highest concentration of carnosic acid; optimal leaf-to-branch ratio: 3:7)

2. Ethanol Reflux Extraction (The mainstream method for food-grade applications)

Solvent: 60–80% Food-grade Ethanol

Liquid-to-Solid Ratio: 1:12–15

Temperature: 70–78°C

Reflux Duration: 2 hours × 2 cycles

Filtration → Concentration → Drying

3. Purification (Macroporous Resin / Extraction)

Impurity Removal: Petroleum ether degreasing → Ethyl acetate extraction of Carnosic Acid

Concentration: Vacuum concentration (60°C, -0.08 MPa)

Drying: Spray drying (Inlet air: 170°C) / Vacuum drying

Finished Product: Carnosic Acid (5%, 20%, 60%, 90% specifications)

III. Quick Reference Guide for Key Parameters

IV. Equipment Configuration

1. Essential Oil Line: Steam boiler, distillation kettle, condenser, oil-water separator, filter

2. Extract Line: Extraction tank, concentrator, dryer, solvent recovery tower, plate-and-frame filter press

V. Application Areas

Essential Oil: Daily chemical fragrances, mosquito repellents, aromatherapy

Extract: Food antioxidants (oils/fats, meat products), feed additives, cosmetic preservatives