High pressure extraction techniques for the recovery of carotenoid-rich extracts from pressed palm fiber: A case of study

Authors

Cárdenas Toro, Fiorella Patricia

Nakama Hokamura, Gabriela Keiko

Pereira Coutinho, Janclei

Texeira Godoy, Helena

de Almeida Meireles, Maria Angela

Abstract

In this work, a comparison of two high extraction techniques: pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) and supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) for the recovery of carotenoid-rich extracts from pressed palm fiber (PPF) was carried out in terms of yield and carotenoid profile to evaluate their industrial applicability. The PLE experiment was performed at 35°C, 4 MPa, 2.4 g/min and S/F ratio of 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, 16 and 20 with ethanol as extraction solvent. The SFE was performed at 45°C, 15 MPa, 3.4 g/min and S/F ratio of 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 16, 20, 30 and 40 with carbon dioxide as supercritical solvent. The results indicated that the extraction yield and the carotenoid recovery obtained at S/F of 20 for PLE was of 42.6 ± 0.2 mg extract/ g PPF d.b., and 48 ± 3 ug α-carotene/g PPF d.b. and 117 ± 4 ug β-carotene/g PPF d.b. (1136 ± 54 ug α-carotene/g extract and 2740 ± 110 ug β-carotene/g extract). For SFE, the extraction yield and the carotenoid recovery obtained at S/F of 20 was of 58 ± 3 mg extract/g PPF d.b., and 26 ± 11 ug α-carotene/g PPF d.b. and 66 ± 22 ug β-carotene/g PPF d.b. (461 ± 211 ug α-carotene/g extract and 1144 ± 439 ug β-carotene/g extract).