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Separation of biomolecules using supercritical fluid extraction

F P Lucien¹, K K Liong, N J Cotton

¹School of Chemical Engineering and Industrial Chemistry, University of New South Wales, Kensington, Australia.

Australasian Biotechnology

|May 1, 1993

Summary

Supercritical fluid extraction using carbon dioxide efficiently isolates valuable omega-3 fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), from fish oil. This method offers a greener alternative for obtaining purified essential fatty acids.

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Area of Science:

Biochemistry
Analytical Chemistry
Green Chemistry

Background:

Supercritical fluids are emerging as sustainable alternatives to traditional organic solvents for biomolecule extraction.
Fish oils are rich sources of essential fatty acids, particularly eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which have significant health benefits.
Conventional extraction methods may involve harsh conditions or less environmentally friendly solvents.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the efficacy of supercritical fluid extraction for isolating specific essential fatty acids from fish oil.
To evaluate the purity of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) obtained using supercritical carbon dioxide.

Main Methods:

Supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO2) was employed as the extraction solvent.

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The process focused on fractionating EPA and DHA from fish oil ethyl esters, specifically from Sardine oil.

Analysis of fatty acid composition before and after extraction was performed.

Main Results:

Supercritical CO2 successfully fractionated EPA and DHA from Sardine oil ethyl esters.
The purity of EPA increased from an original 17% to 58% post-extraction.
The purity of DHA increased from an original 12% to 67% post-extraction.

Conclusions:

Supercritical fluid extraction with CO2 is an effective technique for concentrating EPA and DHA from fish oil.
This method provides a significant improvement in the purity of these essential omega-3 fatty acids.
SC-CO2 extraction presents a promising, environmentally conscious approach for producing high-purity EPA and DHA.