Journal Article

Extraction of Bioactive Compounds Using Supercritical Carbon Dioxide

Di Sanzo, Giuseppe, Casella, Patrizia, Musmarra, Dino, Marino, Tiziana, Martino, Maria, Larocca, Vincenzo, Molino, Antonio, Karatza, Despina

2019

Overview

Microalgae Dunaliella salina contains useful molecules such as β-carotene and fatty acids (FAs), which are considered high value-added compounds. To extract these molecules, supercritical carbon dioxide was used at different operative conditions. The effects of mechanical pre-treatment (grinding speed at 0–600 rpm; pre-treatment time of 2.5–7.5 min) and operating parameters for extraction, such as biomass loading (2.45 and 7.53 g), pressure (100–550 bars), temperature (50–75 °C) and CO2 flow rate (7.24 and 14.48 g/min) by varying the extraction times (30–110 min) were evaluated. Results showed that the maximum cumulative recovery (25.48%) of β-carotene was achieved at 400 bars and 65 °C with a CO2 flow rate of 14.48 g/min, while the highest purity for stage (55.40%) was attained at 550 bars and 65 °C with a CO2 flow rate of 14.48 g/min. The maximum recovery of FAs, equal to 8.47 mg/g, was achieved at 550 bars and 75 °C with a CO2 flow rate of 14.48 g/min. Moreover, the lowest biomass loading (2.45 g) and the first extraction cycle (30 min) allowed the maximum extraction of β-carotene and FAs.

• Publisher: MDPI AG,MDPI
• Subject: Algae / beta Carotene - isolation & purification / Biomass / Carbon dioxide / Carbon Dioxide - chemistry / Carotenoids / Diatomaceous Earth - chemistry / Dunaliella salina / Fatty acids / Fatty Acids - isolation & purification / Food additives / Humans / Liquid-Liquid Extraction - methods / Microalgae / Microalgae - chemistry / Natural products / Pressure / Rheology / Solid Phase Extraction - methods / supercritical-CO2 fluid extraction / Temperature / Time Factors / Triglycerides / β-carotene