Extraction of Oil from Oilseeds using Supercritical Fluid

Význam tématu

Supercritical CO2 extraction offers a sustainable alternative to traditional solvent-based oilseed analysis by eliminating hazardous solvents and reducing extraction time.
This method aligns laboratory protocols with industrial seed oil recovery processes, enhancing relevance for QA/QC and research environments.

Cíle a přehled studie

The study aimed to evaluate a supercritical fluid extraction system for quantifying oil content in various seeds and to compare its performance against conventional Soxhlet extraction.
Analyses were conducted on soyflakes, canola, and wet-milled corn germ to assess accuracy, precision, and throughput.

Použitá metodika a instrumentace

A Spe-ed SFE supercritical fluid extractor operated at 7500 psi and 100 °C was employed for all extractions.

• Instrumentation: Spe-ed™ SFE system, modifier pump
• Consumables: Spe-ed Matrix (Cat. #7950), Spe-ed Wool (Cat. #7953)
• Solvent: Industrial-grade CO2; in exhaustive extraction, ethanol modifier at 0.9 mL/min
• Sample prep: 2 g ground seeds packed with Spe-ed Wool and Matrix
• Extraction parameters: 24 mL vessel, 30 min dynamic time, 6 L/min CO2 (process-scale) or 3 L/min CO2 + ethanol (total oil)

Hlavní výsledky a diskuse

Oil recoveries by SFE closely matched Soxhlet values: 20.62 vs 20.52 % (soyflakes), 39.82 vs 40.51 % (canola), 48.93 vs 50.43 % (corn germ).
Precision was comparable (RSD <3 %), and extraction times were significantly shorter.
The elimination of hazardous solvents further improved safety and environmental compliance.

Přínosy a praktické využití metody

• Elimination of organic solvents improves safety and reduces disposal costs
• Faster extraction enhances laboratory throughput
• Applicability to seeds with varying oil content and moisture levels
• Accurate and precise results support QA/QC and research applications

Budoucí trendy a možnosti využití

• Integration with on-line detection (e.g., GC-MS) for in situ profiling
• Scaling up for pilot and industrial throughput
• Automated workflows for high-throughput seed screening
• Exploration of alternative modifiers to tailor selectivity
• Real-time process monitoring with advanced sensors

Závěr

Supercritical CO2 extraction provides a rapid, safe, and accurate alternative to solvent-based oilseed analysis.
The method yields results comparable to standard techniques while streamlining sample preparation and eliminating hazardous reagents.

Reference

• Taylor, King, JAOCS, Vol. 70, No. 4 (April 1993)
• AOCS Official Method AM 3-96 Oil in Oilseeds: Supercritical Fluid Extraction Method