• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.41 no.5
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• pp.363-366
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• 1998

Supercritical fluid(SCF) carbon dioxide was used to extract safflower yellow pigments from Carthamus tinctorius L. In this work, supercritical fluid extractions were performed at various conditions; pressure (2000, 3000, 4000, 5000 psig), temperature $(40,\;50,\;60,\;70,\;80^{\circ}C)$ and co-solvent $(0,\;3,\;6,\;10,\;14\;wt%\;H_2O)$. Total concentrations of safflower yellow pigments extracted were determined by spectrophotometric method. A maximum yield of yellow pigments was obtained at 4000psig, $60^{\circ}C$ and 10% co-solvent. The extraction yield of pigments was also closely related to moisture content of the raw material. Extraction yield of safflower yellow pigments by SCF extraction at optimized conditions was 6% higher than that by solvent extraction. Supercritical carbon dioxide was proved to be suitable for the extraction of safflower yellow pigments from Carthamus tinctorius L.