Potential of Five-Leaved Chaste Tree (Vitex negundo L.) Leaves as Source of Natural Dye from Supercritical Carbon Dioxide (SC-CO2) Extraction
Natural dyes represent a sustainable source of colorants, which are low cost and safer than synthetic dyes, concerning human health. The purpose of this study is to extract Vitex negundo L. leaves using supercritical carbon dioxide extraction and to identify the extracts potential as a dye. The extraction process has been conducted at different operating conditions by varying temperature from 40 to 65°C with an increment of 5°C at 20, 25, and 30 MPa within 60 minutes constant time. The extracts obtained at different conditions were analyzed using Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometer (GC-MS) to determine the chemical compounds present. Increase of temperature increased the extraction yield, but further increasing the temperature above 50°C has reduced the yield. The effect of pressure gave two different patterns, in which the first one showed the yield kept increasing with pressure (20 to 30 MPa) at 40, 45, 50, and 55°C. The second pattern showed sudden reduction of yield above 25 MPa at another two higher temperatures. The highest extraction yield (13.94 mg/g) was obtained at 30 MPa and 50°C which considered as optimum operating condition. GC-MS analysis showed the presence of several phytochemicals including some flavonoid compounds, which are potential sources of dye.