Supercritical carbon dioxide extraction of Usnea longissima (L.) Ach.: Optimization by Box-Behnken design (BBD).

Usnic acid (UA) was extracted from Usnea longissima (L.) Ach. in supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO2) medium. The selected process parameters were extraction temperature (35-45 °C), amount of co-solvent (0%-5%) and extraction time (5-9 h). These parameters were applied to Box-Behnken design (BBD) belonging to response surface methodology (RSM) to determine optimum process parameters for the highest amount of UA in the extract. g UA/100g lichen, extraction yield % and UA content values were calculated in the range of 0.045-0.317, 2.77-5.4 and 71%-82% in different experimental conditions, respectively. The optimum conditions were predicted as 42 °C, 4.3% (ethanol) and 7.48 h. It was determined that the predicted and experimental values of g UA/100g lichen were compatible, and the suggested model was valid.