ABSTRACT
Bioactive phytochemicals of importance occur abundantly in T. foenum-graecum (fenugreek) with its widespread usefulness in maintenance of health. Considering the high potential of bioactive compounds and their content in fenugreek seeds, the supercritical CO2 extraction (SC CO2) was applied using fenugreek seeds with the aim to define optimal process conditions to obtain maximal extract yields rich in phytochemicals of significant activity. The extraction of saponins from natural resources has been set in the focus of our interest, additionally because of their biocompatibility and wide application, highlighting their use in the synthesis of steroid drugs in pharmaceutical industries, as well as their application in the treatment of hypercholesterolemia, hyperglycemia, hypertension, and cancer. The wide range of working conditions of SC CO2 were examined in order to ascertain the optimal process parameters which would enable extracts rich in steroidal and triterpenoid sapogenins, phytosterols, essential fatty acids, terpenes, and vitamins.
