Enhancement of Curcuma xanthorrhiza Roxb Phytochemical Dissolution via Micronization Using a Supercritical Antisolvent Technique

Fine particles comprising Curcuma xanthorrhiza Roxb (C. xanthorrhiza) rhizome extract were successfully generated using a supercritical carbon dioxide (SCCO₂) antisolvent technique. The SCCO₂ antisolvent process was performed at 40 °C with 8-16 MPa operating pressures. The CO₂ and feed solution flow rates were 15 and 0.25 mL min^-1, respectively. The mixture of C. xanthorrhiza rhizome extract and a polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) polymer in acetone-ethanol was used as a feed solution. The collected particle products seemed to possess spherical and spherical-like morphologies with a diameter of less than 500 nm. The infrared spectroscopy analysis showed that the structural properties of C. xanthorrhiza rhizome extract did not change after treatment with the SCCO₂ antisolvent. Furthermore, the addition of the PVP polymer in the C. xanthorrhiza rhizome extract particle products may improve their dissolution significantly in an aqueous solution medium.