Strategies for supercritical fluid extraction of polar and ionic compounds

Recovery of polyphenols from distillery stillage by microwave-assisted, ultrasound-assisted and conventional solid-liquid extraction

Recovery of bioactive compounds from distillery waste could be an option for valorizing this waste. This study investigated how the extraction of polyphenols (which have antioxidant activity) from distillery stillage was affected by solvent type and concentration, extraction time, and method of extraction (conventional solid–liquid extraction, CSLE; ultrasound-assisted extraction, UAE; microwave-assisted extraction, MAE). Although recovery was similar with UAE and MAE, 3 min MAE with 80% ethanol and 80% methanol produced the highest yields of total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC) and phenolic acids. With CSLE, TPC was 2.1–1.8-times lower than with MAE and 1.7–1.4-times lower than with UAE. Increasing the solvent concentration to 100% significantly decreased recovery. Six phenolic acids were recovered (ferulic and p-coumaric acid predominated), which were present mainly in the free form. There was a significant positive correlation between antioxidant activity, as measured with three methods (one based on the hydrogen atom transfer and two based on single electron transfer mechanisms), and phenolic acid content. With MAE and UAE, polyphenols were recovered more efficiently, with 2.1 times and 1.5 times higher antioxidant activity, and with 15 times and 9 times shorter extraction times, respectively, than with CSLE; thus, they can be considered "green" alternatives to CSLE.

Optimization of Glycerol-Water Extraction of Selected Bioactive Compounds from Peppermint and Common Nettle

Current trends in the industry indicate that extraction solvents should conform with the ideals of so-called "green chemistry". Therefore, the objective of the presented study was to optimize the conditions for the extraction of polyphenols, flavonoids and chlorophyll from peppermint leaves (Mentha × piperita L., Lamiaceae) and from common nettle leaves (Urtica dioica L., Urticaceae) via green chemistry. The obtained experimental results were subjected to modelling by means of the multiple regression method, while the optimization of the system was addressed via the application of the desirability function. As a result of the use of glycerol-water systems for the extraction of the tested active compounds from mint leaves and nettle leaves, extracts with higher concentrations of polyphenols, flavonoids and chlorophyll were most often obtained, when compared with the use of classical solvents such as water and ethanol. In this work, we demonstrate that the extraction temperature has significant influence on the concentration of the determined components in the extracts. To obtain the highest values of the analysed parameters, leaves of peppermint should be extracted with glycerol-water mixture at the proportions of 30.5:69.5 at a temperature of 50 °C, while the optimal conditions for the extraction of leaves of common nettle were the glycerol-water proportions of 12.5:87.5 and extraction temperature of 20 °C. Comparing the average percentage differences between the highest values of the analysed parameters obtained in the experiment and the approximated values for various temperatures with the level of desirability, one can note a high correlation that, in the analysed examples, amounted to 0.9681. The study showed that glycerol can be an alternative solvent in the extraction of polyphenols, flavonoids and chlorophyll, replacing, e.g., ethanol-which, for various reasons, cannot always be used.

Optimized microwave-assisted extraction of bioflavonoids from Albizia myriophylla bark using response surface methodology

Bioflavonoids are of great interest due to their health-benefitting properties and possible protection against certain types of diseases. A microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) method was investigated for maximum retention of total bioflavonoids from Albizia myriophylla bark (AMB). Response surface methodology (RSM) using central composite design were employed for obtaining the best possible combination of MAE process parameters including microwave power (400-900 W), liquid/solid ratio (20-40 ml/g), extraction time (20-40 min) and ethanol concentration (60-100%). Optimum conditions of extraction under which predicted maximum bioflavonoids yield of 152.74 mg QE/g DW and antioxidant activity of 75.33% in close proximity with the experimental values were: microwave power 728 W, liquid/solid ratio 24.70 ml/g, extraction time 39.86 min and ethanol concentration 70.36%. Satisfactory statistical parameters (R²), ANOVA for the model and lack-of-fit testing provided an adequate mathematical description of the MAE of bioflavonoids with high antioxidant activity. Therefore, MAE of AMB using RSM could be termed as a time-saving and an efficient method resulting to high yield with increased antioxidant activity. Also, HPLC analysis of AMB revealed the presence of bioflavonoids viz., naringin, quercetin and apigenin; which may be further extensively studied for use as therapeutics against various health issues.

Ultrahigh-pressure supercritical fluid extraction and chromatography of Moringa oleifera and Moringa peregrina seed lipids

An ultrahigh-pressure supercritical fluid extraction method was optimized and applied to extract seed oil lipids from two moringa species, namely Moringa oleifera (MO) and Moringa peregrina (MP). A full-factorial design was used to investigate the direct and interaction influence of pressure and temperature in the range of 40 to 80 MPa and 40 to 70 °C, respectively, on the extracted amount of oil from crushed seeds. The results revealed that pressure has a significant positive influence on the extracted amount of oil. The best extraction condition using neat CO₂ was found at 80 MPa and 57 °C, yielding 396 ± 23 and 529 ± 26 mg oil per gram of seeds for MO and MP, respectively. An extraction kinetics study revealed a mainly solubility-controlled extraction of oil, and 28 g of CO₂ was required to extract 400 mg of oil per gram of seeds of MO using the developed method. Addition of ethanol to the sample prior to the extraction increased the proportion of extractable polar lipids as well as the total amount of extracted oil. The developed method increased the extracted amount of oil twofold compared to a reference method based on solvent sonication. The obtained oil consisted mainly of glycerolipids, sterol esters, and phospholipids. Phospholipids, campesterol, and stigmasterol ester concentrations were found to be higher in MO while cholesterol ester was more abundant in MP.

Effect of the solvent composition on the profile of phenolic compounds extracted from chia seeds

This study investigated the efficiency of the extraction of phenolic compounds from seeds of chia, Salvia hispanica L. utilizing the statistical tool of mixture planning, simplex-lattice design. The solvents used were acetone, ethanol and water and the responses analyzed were total phenolic content (TPC), antioxidant activity by the capture of the free radical DPPH and ferric reduction ability (FRAP). Moderately polar mixtures were highly efficient to extract the antioxidant phenolic compounds. The best results were obtained for the water-acetone (1/3-2/3) binary mixture, presenting TPC, DPPP and FRAP values of 58.44 mg GAE/g, 250.20 μmol TE/g and 720.15 μmol TE/g, respectively. The best ternary mixture was water-ethanol-acetone (1/6-1/6-2/3), with 60.96 mg GAE/g, 380.53 μmol TE/g and 990.15 μmol TE/g, respectively. The phenolic profile showed that the acids rosmarinic, caffeic, salicylic and the flavonoids myricetin and quercetin are the compounds that most contribute to the elevated antioxidant activity.

Development of Phaleria macrocarpa (Scheff.) Boerl Fruits Using Response Surface Methodology Focused on Phenolics, Flavonoids and Antioxidant Properties

In this study, the optimal conditions for the extraction of antioxidants from the Buah Mahkota Dewa fruit (Phaleria macrocarpa) was determined by using Response Surface Methodology (RSM). The optimisation was applied using a Central Composite Design (CCD) to investigate the effect of three independent variables, namely extraction temperature (°C), extraction time (minutes) and extraction solvent to-feed ratio (% v/v) on four responses: free radical scavenging activity (DPPH), ferric ion reducing power assay (FRAP), total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC). The optimal conditions for the antioxidants extraction were found to be 64 °C extraction temperature, 66 min extraction time and 75% v/v solvent to-feed ratio giving the highest percentage yields of DPPH, FRAP, TPC and TFC of 86.85%, 7.47%, 292.86 mg/g and 3.22 mg/g, respectively. Moreover, the data were subjected to Response Surface Methodology (RSM) and the results showed that the polynomial equations for all models were significant, did not show lack of fit, and presented adjusted determination coefficients (R²) above 99%, proving that the yield of phenolic, flavonoid and antioxidants activities obtained experimentally were close to the predicted values and the suitability of the model employed in RSM to optimise the extraction conditions. Hence, in this study, the fruit from P. macrocarpa could be considered to have strong antioxidant ability and can be used in various cosmeceutical or medicinal applications.

Supercritical Fluid Extraction of Vegetable Materials

The paper presents the base and conditions for the extraction of organic materials with solvents in the supercritical state with particular attention to use of CO2 as the extraction agent. The advantages and disadvantages of this process are described. The examples of extraction of organic materials using supercritical of CO2 are presented.

Bioassay-guided supercritical fluid extraction of cyclooxygenase-2 inhibiting substances in Plantago major L

INTRODUCTION

Selective extraction of plant materials is advantageous for obtaining extracts enriched with desired constituents, thereby reducing the need for subsequent chromatography purification. Such compounds include three cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitory substances in Plantago major L. targeted in this investigation: α-linolenic acid (α-LNA) (18:3 ω-3) and the triterpenic acids ursolic acid and oleanolic acid.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the scope for tuning the selectivity of supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) using bioassay guidance, and Soxhlet extraction with dichloromethane as solvent as a reference technique, to optimise yields of these substances.

METHOD

Extraction parameters were varied to optimise extracts' COX-2/COX-1 inhibitory effect ratios. The crude extracts were purified initially using a solid phase extraction (SPE) clean-up procedure and the target compounds were identified with GC-MS, LC-ESI-MS and LC-ESI-MS² using GC-FID for quantification.

RESULTS

α-LNA was preferentially extracted in dynamic mode using unmodified carbon dioxide at 40°C and 172 bar, at a 0.04% (w/w) yield with a COX-2/COX-1 inhibitory effect ratio of 1.5. Ursolic and oleanolic acids were dynamically extracted at 0.25% and 0.06% yields, respectively, with no traces of (α-LNA) and a COX-2/COX-1-inhibitory effect ratio of 1.1 using 10% (v/v) ethanol as polar modifier at 75°C and 483 bar. The Soxhlet extracts had ursolic acid, oleanolic acid and αLNA yields up to 1.36%, 0.34% and 0.15%, respectively, with a COX-2/COX-1 inhibitory effect ratio of 1.2.

CONCLUSION

The target substances can be extracted selectively by bioassay guided optimisation of SFE conditions.

Green Sample Preparation Methods

Sample preparation is the stage of the analytical process where greenness-related issues can likely play the most important role. With the exception of direct methods for solid sample analysis, for most analytical methods it is necessary to carry out a certain number of operations to make the sample amenable to the instrument. These operations, which may include digestion, extraction, dissolution, preconcentration and clean-up, typically require the use of large amounts of acids, organic solvents, and in general, chemicals that can often be persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic (PBT) as well as operating conditions that can become unsafe and energy-consuming. Therefore, sample preparation stages should be targeted as a priority when green chemistry principles are to be adapted to analytical activities. This chapter is devoted to the discussion of most relevant sample preparation strategies that approach the fulfilment of the green chemistry principles. Thus, digestion and extraction strategies from solid samples for both inorganic and organic analysis are approached using microwaves and ultrasound, followed by a discussion of modern extraction techniques, such as microwave-assisted extraction, supercritical fluid extraction, pressurized liquid extraction and solid-phase extraction for trace organic analysis. Microextraction techniques also deserve a place here, since a high degree of greenness is achieved when they are implemented in analytical methodology. Finally, application of surfactants in techniques such as cloud point extraction or membranes that allow minimizing the use of organic solvents for analysis of liquid samples are discussed.

Optimization of extraction of antioxidants from wheat bran (Triticum spp.) using response surface methodology

In this study, the optimal conditions for the extraction of antioxidants from hard winter wheat bran (WH711) were determined using response surface methodology (RSM). A central composite face centred design was used to investigate the effects of three independent variables, namely solvent composition (%v/v), extraction temperature (°C) and time (minutes) on the responses; free phenolic content (FPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), total antioxidant activity (TAA), ferric reducing power (FRP), hydrogen peroxide scavenging activity (HPSA). Regression analysis showed that more than 90% of the variation was explained by the models of different responses. The optimal conditions for the antioxidantss extraction were found to be methanol concentration of 85%v/v, extraction temperature of 75 °C, extraction time of 45 min, for wheat bran. The experimental values of FPC, TFC, TAA, FRP and HPSA were 0.921 mg GAE/g bran (B), 0.4588 mg CE/g B, 0.01408 mM AAE/g B, 2.532 mM AAE/g B and 3.193 mM TE/g B, respectively which agreed with those predicted, thus indicating suitability of the model employed and the suitability of RSM in optimizing the extraction conditions.

Extraction of ferulic acid from Angelica sinensis with supercritical CO2

Extraction of pharmacologically active ingredient of ferulic acid from the root of Angelica sinensis with supercritical CO2 was investigated. The experimental results show that the extract yields were 0.87-4.06% at temperatures from 45 to 65 degrees Celsius and pressures from 30 to 50 MPa, and the maximum content of ferulic aicd in the extracts was about 0.35-0.37%, which is lower than that of 0.61-0.85% by conventional percolation methods. Ethanol was used as co-solvent in different ratios to raw materials in order to increase the content of ferulic acid in the extracts. The experimental results show that both the extract yields and the content of ferulic acid in the extracts increase greatly compared with pure CO2 extraction. When the ratio of ethanol to the raw material was 1.6, the content of ferulic acid in the extracts was 0.91-1.27%, indicating that supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) with CO2 in the presence of suitable co-solvent is superior to percolation in extracting polar ferulic acid from Angelica sinensis.

Comparison between HPLC and HPTLC-densitometry for the determination of harpagoside from Harpagophytum procumbens CO2-extracts

Carbon dioxide (CO(2)) extracts of the secondary roots of Harpagophytum procumbens were quantified by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and high performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC). An isocratic HPLC method was used for the quantification of the iridoid glucoside harpagoside at 278 nm. A HPTLC assay was developed for the determination of harpagoside after coloration at 509 nm. The diode array detection of both analytical assays were used to examine the purity of harpagoside peaks and compared with the standards, respectively. The assays provide good accuracy, reproducibility and selectivity for the quantitative analysis of harpagoside. The harpagoside contents of 15 different CO(2)-extracts were compared by HPLC and HPTLC-densitometry. The quantitative results of both analytical methods did not show any statistical significance between each other, although a trend to slightly lower mean values could be found for the HPTLC method.

Optimization of parameters for the analysis of aromatic amines in finger-paints

A study for the optimisation of the supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) of some aromatic amines (4-chloro-o-toluidine, 2-naphthylamine, 4-aminobiphenyl and benzidine) in finger-paints was conducted. The influence of different variables related to the technique on recoveries was investigated. The analytes were subsequently analysed by gas chromatography after SFE. The study allowed the estimation of four main factors (temperature, pressure, static time and volume of modifier) on recoveries by the use of a two-level factor design, where most significant parameters as well as second- and third-order interactions were identified. Other factors, such as type and volume of modifier and time of contact between the spiker solution and the sample prior to extraction, were also studied. The influence of matrix on extraction recovery was also evaluated by applying the method to different finger-paints, and recoveries were similar or even higher in some cases. The drying process of samples was also studied, while classical drying in an oven and microwaves were compared, with similar efficiencies in both methods. The method was validated by extracting the aromatic amines from some commercial finger-paints.

Determination of some aromatic amines in finger-paints for children's use by supercritical fluid extraction combined with gas chromatography

A test method based on supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) and gas chromatography has been developed for some aromatic amines, such as 4-chloro-o-toluidine, beta-naphthylamine and 4-aminobiphenyl. A two-level factor design was used as the optimization procedure. Four main variables were considered: CO2 pressure, extraction temperature, static extraction time and volume of modifier (methanol). Results obtained for 4-chloro-o-toluidine, indicated that the volume of modifier was the variable with the most important influence on extraction, CO2 pressure had a negative effect and temperature and time were less significant. For the other amines, static time was the most important variable in both cases, followed by CO2 pressure and volume of modifier, with no influence of temperature. SFE was compared with Soxhlet extraction, and was found to give higher recoveries in all cases. Other commercial finger-paints were tested for the presence of aromatic amines.

Reverse micelle formation for acceleration of the supercritical fluid extraction of cholesterol from food samples

Reverse micelle formation is presented as a new strategy for improving the extraction of polar species with supercritical (SC) CO2. The addition of a reverse-micelleforming reagent prior to SFE accelerates the quantitative extraction of the analyte. The effect was used to develop a method for the determination of cholesterol in solid foods. The proposed method involves the addition of a microemulsion of a nonionic surfactant (Triton X-100) to the sample and dynamic extraction with SC-CO2 at 383 bar and 40 degrees C for 20-40 min. The method was validated using a certified reference material (NIST-SRM 1845) and was subsequently used to analyze low-cholesterol (whole bread, oat biscuits, orange biscuits) and high-cholesterol foods (semiskimmed and whole milk) with excellent results (RSD < 11% in all instances).

Supercritical fluid extraction of pesticides in foods

This article summarizes research findings involving the supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) of pesticides in food and other tissue matrices. Emphasis is placed on multiresidue analysis of pesticides in nonfatty foods, including some previously unpublished aspects of SFE in this application. Brief overviews of pesticides and traditional multiresidue methods are given, followed by discussion of results for SFE applications in the pesticide residue analysis of foods.