Pilot-Plant-Scale Extraction of Antioxidant Compounds from Lavender: Experimental Data and Methodology for an Economic Assessment

Abstract

The techno-economic feasibility of lavender essential oil supercritical CO2 extraction was studied. The process was scaled up to a pilot plant, and the extraction yield, composition, and antioxidant potential of the extracts were evaluated at 60 °C and 180 bar or 250 bar, achieving a maximum yield of 6.9% and a percentage inhibition of the extracts of more than 80%. These results drove the development of a business plan for three scenarios corresponding to different extraction volumes (20, 50, and 100 L) and annual production. The SWOT matrix showed that this is a promising business idea. The COM was calculated and an investment analysis was performed. The profitability of this process was demonstrated by means of a financial analysis for 8 years, considering a selling price of 1.38 EUR/g for the extract from the 20 L plant and 0.9 EUR/g for industrial-scale plants, supported by the price curve. The sensitivity analysis showed that the price of the equipment was the factor that could most influence the robustness of the project and the business strategy, and the financial ratios evaluation resulted in a ROE value above 57% in all cases, indicating the economic attractiveness of the process.

Alginate–Chitosan Membranes for the Encapsulation of Lavender Essential Oil and Development of Biomedical Applications Related to Wound Healing

“…Comparing the CHT film and CHT + LEO film, it can be observed that the CHT film shows a higher water uptake capacity, compared with the CHT + LEO. This is due to the presence of the LEO, which is hydrophobic and hinders water uptake [31]. The maximum values of the water uptake percentages for the CHT and CHT + LEO membranes take place at 48 h and are 1136% and 606%, respectively.…”

“…One of the most frequently used is lavender essential oil (LEO), for applications related to cosmetics, and in recent years, it has been also considered a good option to produce pharmaceuticals. This is due to the bioactivity of some of the predominant chemical compounds in its composition, such as linalool, which has a high antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory capacity [30,31]. Because of these properties, LEO has already been described as a wound-healing enhancer due to its capacity to accelerate wound contraction [3,32,33].…”

Supercritical Technology Applied to Food, Pharmaceutical, and Chemical Industries

“…Cruz Sánchez and coworkers [53] extracted lavender flowers with SC-CO 2 at 60 • C and 180 and 250 bar, simulated the process for the capacities of 20 L, 50 L, and 100 L. They observed that the cost of manufacturing was lower at 50 and 100 L, and that the price of equipment was the item that most affected the return on equity. The return on equity is a parameter that indicates a process's profitability [54].…”

Technical and Economic Evaluation of Bioactive Compounds from Schinus terebinthifolius Using Supercritical Carbon Dioxide

“…Other studies that also used the supercritical extraction technique and performed an economic evaluation such as those by Pereira et al [33] and Sánchez et al [34] have shown the feasibility of the supercritical-extractor-based processes. However, these characteristics are achieved when a high-value product is involved, once the operational costs represent a disadvantage of the process due to the utilities and raw materials required.…”

“…However, these characteristics are achieved when a high-value product is involved, once the operational costs represent a disadvantage of the process due to the utilities and raw materials required. Moreover, Sánchez et al [34] also indicate the representative cost participation in the CAPEX distribution of the extractor, which suggests a focus point for the economic assessment and project development.…”