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Supercritical Nitrogen Processing for the Purification of Reactive Porous Materials
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Extraction of Bioactive Compounds Using Supercritical Carbon Dioxide.
Antonio Molino1, Vincenzo Larocca2, Giuseppe Di Sanzo3
1Department of Sustainability-CR Portici, Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development (ENEA), P. Enrico Fermi, 1, 80055 Portici (NA), Italy. antonio.molino@enea.it.
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
|February 24, 2019
Summary
Supercritical carbon dioxide extraction from Dunaliella salina efficiently recovers valuable β-carotene and fatty acids. Optimal conditions enhance yield and purity of these high-value compounds.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Natural Product Chemistry
- Phycology
Background:
- Microalgae Dunaliella salina are rich sources of high-value compounds like β-carotene and fatty acids (FAs).
- Efficient extraction methods are crucial for isolating these valuable molecules for various applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To optimize supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO₂) extraction of β-carotene and FAs from Dunaliella salina.
- To evaluate the impact of mechanical pre-treatment and SC-CO₂ operating parameters on extraction efficiency and purity.
Main Methods:
- Supercritical carbon dioxide extraction was employed, varying parameters such as pressure, temperature, CO₂ flow rate, biomass loading, and extraction time.
- Mechanical pre-treatment involved grinding speed and time optimization.
- Extraction efficiency and purity of β-carotene and FAs were quantified.
Main Results:
- Maximum cumulative recovery of β-carotene (25.48%) was achieved at 400 bars and 65 °C with a CO₂ flow rate of 14.48 g/min.
- Highest β-carotene purity (55.40%) was obtained at 550 bars and 65 °C.
- Maximum FAs recovery (8.47 mg/g) occurred at 550 bars and 75 °C.
- Lower biomass loading and shorter extraction times favored maximum recovery of both compounds.
Conclusions:
- Supercritical CO₂ extraction is an effective method for isolating β-carotene and FAs from Dunaliella salina.
- Optimized extraction parameters significantly influence the yield and purity of target compounds.
- This study provides valuable insights for industrial-scale extraction of valuable microalgal compounds.
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