Higher Yield and Polyphenol Content in Olive Pomace Extracts Using 2-Methyloxolane as Bio-Based Solvent

Area of Science:

• Green Chemistry
• Solvent Extraction Technology
• Biomass Processing

Background:

• Hexane is the standard solvent for vegetable oil extraction but poses toxicity and environmental risks.
• There is a growing demand for sustainable and environmentally friendly extraction methods.
• 2-methyloxolane (2-MeOx) is a bio-based solvent emerging as a promising alternative.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate 2-methyloxolane (2-MeOx) as a sustainable alternative to hexane for olive pomace (OP) oil extraction.
• To compare the efficacy of dry 2-MeOx and water-saturated 2-MeOx (2-MeOx 95.5%) against hexane.
• To assess the impact of these solvents on extraction yield, oil quality, and polyphenol content.

Main Methods:

• Olive pomace was extracted using three solvents: hexane, dry 2-MeOx, and 2-MeOx 95.5%.
• Extraction yields were measured and compared across all solvents.
• The lipid and polyphenol profiles of the resulting extracts were analyzed.

Main Results:

• Both dry 2-MeOx and 2-MeOx 95.5% demonstrated higher extraction yields compared to hexane.
• Extracts obtained using 2-MeOx solvents were richer in phenolic compounds.
• The lipid profiles of the extracts were also evaluated, showing variations based on the solvent used.

Conclusions:

• 2-methyloxolane (dry and 95.5% saturated) is a viable and effective replacement for hexane in olive pomace extraction.
• The use of 2-MeOx offers a more sustainable process with improved extraction efficiency and higher polyphenol content.
• Further research at a semi-industrial scale is recommended to validate these findings for broader application.