Abstract: The response surface methodology was used to optimize the supercritical carbon dioxide extraction of antioxidant components from rosemary leaves. Three extraction parameters including pressure, length of extraction time and entrainer (absolute ethanol) amount were optimized based on total phenol content in extract. The optimum extraction conditions were extraction pressure 26.98 MPa, extraction time 2.28 h and entrainer concentration 0.48 mL/g, respectively, the resulting extract containing 12.70 mg/g total phenolic compounds. The extraction method can provide a simple, reliable and applicable method for the extraction antioxidant components from rosemary leaves.

Key words: response surface methodology, supercritical CO2 extraction, rosemary, antioxidant