Supercritical extraction to obtain vetiver （Vetiveria zizanioides L. Nash） extracts from roots cultivated hydroponically

We determined the global yield and composition of extracts from vetiver roots cultivated hydroponically. We extracted roots of two varieties collected at different times after planting. The extracts were obtained by supercritical fluid extraction (SFE); we also estimated manufacturing costs. Constituents were quantified by gas-chromatography/flame ionization detection (GC-FID). Results demonstrated the efficacy of a hydroponic system in producing vetiver with a high root extract content. The largest yield was obtained from roots collected on days 132 and 92 after planting from varieties National (1.41%) and Bourbon (1.28%), respectively. The major compounds present in the extract were khusimol, isovalencenol, alpha-vetivone and beta-vetivone. To determine the economic viability of producing these extracts, manufacturing costs were estimated using a simplified methodology. The manufacturing costs were US$ 22.26/kg and US$ 24.26/kg for varieties national and Bourbon, respectively