Partial propane extraction of aromatic compounds from dehydrated basils (Ocimum Lamiaceae).

Background: Many conventional extraction methods for basils (Ocimum sp. Lamiaceae) produce only the extract as a usable product and leave the extracted herb as a waste product. We demonstrate partial extraction of chemically and morphologically diverse basil cultivars using propane at low temperature (20-27 °C) and pressure (950-1200 kPa) and evaluate the process for production of dual products, the extracted herb (raffinate) and the herb extract in terms of aromatic content and color.