Green extraction of bioactive compounds from Cumaru seeds using supercritical CO₂: Yield and functionality

This study evaluated the influence of operational conditions on the efficiency of supercritical fluid extraction (SFE), a green technique, in comparison with conventional Soxhlet extraction, aiming to assess its efficiency based on global yield (X₀), chemical composition of the extracts (fatty acids profile, glyceride classes - MAG, DAG, and TAG, free fatty acids, and TAG composition), and the recovery of bioactive compounds such as coumarin, tocopherols, and tocotrienols from cumaru (Dipteryx odorata) seeds. The results demonstrated that SFE, operating under high CO₂ density (35 MPa; 40 °C), favored the extraction of lipophilic and antioxidant compounds, with recoveries expressed per gram of dried cumaru seeds (DCS). Under these conditions, the highest total tocol content (14.45 μg gDCS^-1), total reducing capacity (TRC) (552.17 μgGAE gDCS^-1) and Lipophilic Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC-L) (1380.99 μgTE gDCS^-1) were observed, compared to the other evaluated conditions. Additionally, the extract obtained at this condition presented high lipid content (∼98%), high concentrations of oleic acid (∼52%) and linoleic acid (∼21%), besides a low acidity index, below the maximum limit recommended by the Codex Alimentarius. Soxhlet extraction resulted in a lower coumarin (0.82 μg gDCS^-1) and tocol content (3.29 μg gDCS^-1). The highest coumarin recovery was obtained at 25 MPa and 50 °C (10.11 mgCE gDCS^-1). SFE performed under the lowest CO₂ density (15 MPa; 60 °C) obtained the extract with the highest concentration of total tocols, TRC and ORAC-L; however, it yielded the lowest lipid recovery (11.57%). In summary, the findings highlight SFE as a promising approach for the selective and efficient extraction of high-value bioactive compounds from CS.