Extraction of pomegranate seed oil using subcritical propane and supercritical carbon dioxide

Abstract

Extraction of oil from pomegranate seeds as a waste product of the juice industry using supercrit ical carbon dioxide and subcritical propane was studied in this work. The influence of the main operating con ditions of extraction, namely, the temperature and pressure of extraction on the oil extraction yield and the correspondent fatty acid profile were analyzed and reported here. Soxhlet extraction with n-hexane was done for comparison with supercritical extraction resulting in a maximum yield of oil of 22.31 wt %. Supercritical car bon dioxide and subcritical propane extracted up to 58.53% (corresponding to maximum yield of 13.06 wt %) and 76.73% (corresponding to maximum yield of 17.12 wt %) of the total amount of pomegranate seed oil as measured using Soxhlet extraction, respectively. Results indicated that the subcritical propane is a suitable and selective solvent for the extraction of the pomegranate seed oil in function of smaller times and pressures employed compared to carbon dioxide extraction. The fatty acid composition of the extracted oil showed the presence of fatty acids of C 16 , C 18 , C 20 , C 22 , and C 24 carbon chains. Punicic (C 18.3 ) was the major fatty acids and comprise up to 70% of the total fatty acid content of the extracted oil among all samples. Finally, Lack's plug flow model as developed by Sovova was applied to both extraction systems and a good agreement with the experimental results was obtained.

Extraction of crambe seed oil using subcritical propane: Kinetics, characterization and modeling

“…This technology is considered to be clean because, at the end of the extraction, the solvent is completely removed by system depressurization and can be recovered. Although carbon dioxide is the most commonly used fluid in this kind of extraction, subcritical propane allows high extraction rates when used in processes with vegetable oil [7][8][9][10][11] due to the greater solubility of the triglycerides in this solvent [12]. In addition, it can be used at lower pressures, which is an important advantage in the oil extraction industry.…”

Extraction and characterization of <i>Raphanus Sativus</i> seed oil obtained by different methods

“…In traditional Chinese medicine, Raphanus sativus seed oil, which is rich in sulforaphene, is used to improve intestinal function and for treatment of digestive problems [4]. Studies have shown that oil yields from Raphanus sativus seeds can be as high as 35-40 %, making them potential new oil sources for food, medicine and cosmetic industries [5].…”

Extraction and characterization of radish seed oils using different methods

“…In traditional Chinese medicine, radish seed oil, which is rich in sulforaphene is used to improve intestinal function and for treatment of digestive problems [4]. Studies have shown that oil yields from radish seeds can be as high as 35-40 %, making them potential new oil sources for food, medicine and cosmetic industries [5].…”