Valorisation of Side Stream Products through Green Approaches: The Rapeseed Meal Case

Rapeseed meal (RSM) is a by-product of rapeseed oil extraction and is a rich source of bioactive compounds, including proteins and antioxidants. This study compared two methods for extracting antioxidants from RSM: conventional ethanol Soxhlet extraction and supercritical CO₂ extraction. These procedures were applied to both native RSM and RSM after protein removal to evaluate their bio-compound composition and potential applications. HPLC-DAD, NMR, and GC/MS analyses revealed a rich polyphenolic profile in the extracts, including the presence of sinapic acid. The concentration of sinapic acid varied depending on the extraction method used. The anti-radical activity of the extracts was also analysed using the DPPH assay, which confirmed the potential of RSM as a source of antioxidants for use in cosmetics, food, and pharmaceutical formulations.