In this study, we evaluated the performance of nine
alternative solvents (a-pinene, MeTHF, ethyl acetate,
methyl acetate, ethyl lactate, butanol, isopropanol, ethanol
and CO2 supercritical fluid) for extracting aromas from
blackcurrant buds (Ribes nigrum L) compared to n-hexane,
commonly used. MeTHF proved theoretically and experimentally
to be a preferential solvent that can be safely and
effectively used to replace n-hexane in the extraction of
aromas. It is also a promising solvent for n-hexane
substitution in terms of quality of the extract (oxygenatedterpenes). It is an alternative solvent that is recognized as
economically viable and environmentally benign to be
used as a substitute for petroleum-origin solvents such as
n-hexane.