Selection of extraction solvents for edible oils from microalgae and improvement of the oxidative stability

Value-added utilization technologies for seaweed processing waste in a circular economy: Developing a sustainable modern seaweed industry

The global seaweed industry annually consumes approximately 600,000 tons of dried algal biomass to produce algal hydrocolloids, yet only 15-30% of this biomass is utilized, with the remaining 70-85% discarded or released as scum or wastewater during the hydrocolloid extraction process. This residual biomass is often treated as waste and not considered for further commercial use, which contradicts the principles of sustainable development. In reality, the residual algal biomass could be employed to extract additional biochemical components, such as pigments, proteins, and cellulose, and these ingredients have important application prospects in the food sector. According to the biorefinery concept, recycling various products alongside the principal product enhances overall biomass utilization. Transitioning from traditional single-product processes to multi-product biorefineries, however, raises operating costs, presenting a significant challenge. Alternatively, developing value-added utilization technologies that target seaweed waste without altering existing processes is gaining traction among industry practitioners. Current advancements include methods such as separation and extraction of residual biomass, anaerobic digestion, thermochemical conversion, enzymatic treatment, functionalized modification of algal scum, and efficient utilization through metabolic engineering. These technologies hold promise for converting seaweed waste into alternative proteins, dietary supplements, and bioplastics for food packaging. Combining multiple technologies may offer the most effective strategy for future seaweed waste treatment. Nonetheless, most research on value-added waste utilization remains at the laboratory scale, necessitating further investigation at pilot and commercial scales.

Low-Toxicity Solvents for the Extraction of Valuable Lipid Compounds from Octopus (Octopus vulgaris) Waste

This study focused on the recovery of valuable lipid compounds from octopus (Octopus vulgaris) by-products. Extraction conditions of total lipids (TLs), phospholipids (PLs), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) were optimized by employing a Simplex-Lattice design; for it, different relative concentrations of three low-toxicity solvents (ethanol, acetone, and ethyl acetate) were considered. The optimization process was also addressed in reference to fatty acid (FA) ratios (total polyunsaturated FAs/total saturated FAs and total ω3 FAs/total ω6 FAs). The variance analysis of multiple regression data demonstrated that the quadratic model was significant (p < 0.05) for TL, PL, and DHA values and the ω3/ω6 ratio. As a result, the following optimized values were obtained: 113.8 g·kg-1 dry by-products (TLs), 217.3 g·kg-1 lipids (PLs), 22.55 g·100 g-1 total FAs (DHA), and 3.70 (ω3/ω6 ratio). According to the model developed, optimized values were shown to correspond to the following relative solvent concentrations (ethanol/acetone/ethyl acetate): 0.46/0.00/0.54, 0.93/0.07/0.00, 0.83/0.17/0.00, and 0.64/0.00/0.36, respectively. Comparison to yields obtained by the conventional chloroform/methanol method was carried out. A novel strategy based on the employment of low-toxicity solvents is proposed for the extraction of valuable lipid constituents from octopus waste. A different solvent ratio would be necessary according to the lipid compound concerned.

Identification of pressed and extracted vegetable oils by headspace GC-MS

Edible vegetable oils are produced either by mechanical pressing or extraction. Although pressing retains the inherent flavor and nutritional value of the oil, the oil yield is low and the process expensive. Extraction methods have high oil yields, low processing costs, and economic benefits; however, No. 6 solvent, which may pose potential risks to human health, is commonly used in the extraction and cleaning process. Differentiating extracted oil containing these solvents from pressed oil, for quality control, based on visual appearance is difficult. Hence, in this study, an identification method using the characteristic components of solvent No. 6 under optimized headspace Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) conditions was established. It also provided a reference for quality control of industrial production by estimating the amount of solvent present in the oil. Results showed that, in addition to five main components (2-methylpentane, 3-methylpentane, and n-hexane, Methylcyclopentane, Cyclohexane), accounting for 97% of the solvent, No. 6 solvent also contains 16 types of organic substances, such as olefins, aromatic hydrocarbons, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Under optimized headspace GC-MS conditions (headspace sampler equilibrium temperature = 150 °C), the No. 6 solvent exhibits high linearity over a concentration range of 0.05-1 mg/kg with a correlation coefficient of 0.999 and a detection limit of 0.01 mg/kg. Pressed and extracted oils can be determined as follows: If three or fewer main components of the No. 6 solvent are detected, and the total content of No. 6 solvent is less than 0.5 mg/kg, it is a pressed oil; if four or more main components of No. 6 solvent are detected, or the total content of No. 6 solvent is ≥0.5 mg/kg, it is confirmed as an extracted oil.

Yield Enhancement of Valuable Lipid Compounds from Squid (Doryteuthis gahi) Waste by Ethanol/Acetone Extraction

The study focused on the extraction of valuable lipid compounds from squid (Doryteuthis gahi) waste by a low-toxicity solvent mixture (ethanol/acetone, 50:50, v/v). The effect of the waste weight/solvent volume (WW/SV, g·mL^-1) ratio and the number of extractions (NoE) on the total lipid (TL), phospholipid (PL), and tocopherol yields and on the fatty acid (FA) profile (eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acid contents; polyunsaturated FAs/saturated FAs and ω3/ω6 ratios) was investigated. As a result, an increased NoE led to an increased (p < 0.05) TL yield but a decreased (p < 0.05) proportion of PLs in the lipid extract. Additionally, a lower (p < 0.05) polyunsaturated FA/saturated FA ratio was detected by increasing the NoE. Some differences (p < 0.05) could be outlined as a result of increasing the WW/SV ratio; however, a definite trend for this extraction condition could not be concluded for any of the lipid parameters measured. Yield results were compared to those obtained by the conventional chloroform/methanol procedure. In order to attain an increased yield, the NoE required would depend on the polarity degree of the lipid molecule concerned. All ethanol/acetone extracting conditions tested led to remarkable yields for lipid compounds (PLs, α-tocopherol, ω3 FAs) and FA ratios with healthy, nutritional, and preserving properties.

Optimisation of Low-Toxicity Solvent Employment for Total Lipid and Tocopherol Compound Extraction from Patagonian Squid By-Products

The extraction of total lipids and tocopherol compounds from Patagonian squid (Doriteuthis gahi) by-products (viscera, heads, skin, etc.), resulting from squid mantel commercialisation, was studied. An optimisation simplex-lattice design by employing low-toxicity solvents (ethanol, acetone, and ethyl acetate) was carried out taking into account their relative concentrations. The variance analysis of data showed that the quadratic model was statistically significant (p < 0.05); empirical coded equations were obtained as a function of the low-toxicity solvent ratios. The optimised lipid extraction was obtained by employing the 0.642/0.318/0.040 (ethanol/acetone/ethyl acetate) solvent ratio, respectively, leading to an 84% recovery of the total lipids extracted by the traditional procedure. In all extracting systems tested, the presence of α-, γ-, and δ-tocopherol compounds was detected, α-tocopherol being the most abundant. For α-, γ-, and δ-tocopherol compounds, the optimisation process showed that acetone extraction led to the highest concentrations in the lipid extract obtained (2736.5, 36.8, and 2.8 mg·kg^-1 lipids, respectively). Taking into account the recovery yield on a by-product basis, the values obtained for the three tocopherols were included in the 88.0-97.7%, 80.0-95.0%, and 25-75% ranges, respectively, when compared to the traditional extraction. This study provides a novel and valuable possibility for α-tocopherol extraction from marine by-products.

Comparative Study of Bioactive Lipid Extraction from Squid (Doryteuthis gahi) by-Products by Green Solvents

A novel approach of bioactive lipid extraction by different green solvents was carried out on squid (Doryteuthis gahi) by-products. By-products (viscera, heads, skin, tails, etc.), considered as a single product, were subjected to the following solvent systems: ethanol, acetone, ethyl acetate, 1/1 ethanol/acetone, 1/1 ethanol/ethyl acetate, and 1/1 acetone/ethyl acetate. Analyses carried out included lipid yield, lipid class content, and fatty acid (FA) composition. Results were compared to the lipid extract obtained by the traditional procedure (1/1 chloroform/methanol). Lipid yields obtained by green solvents led to a 33.4−73.2% recovery compared to traditional extraction; the highest values (p < 0.05) were obtained by ethanol-containing systems. Compared to the traditional procedure, ethanol systems showed an 85.8−90.3% recovery of phospholipid compounds and no differences (p > 0.05) in the ω3/ω6 ratio. Green-extracting systems led to higher average values for eicosapentaenoic acid content (15.66−18.56 g·100 g−1 total FAs) and polyene index (1.93−3.29) than chloroform/methanol extraction; differences were significant (p < 0.05) for systems including acetone and ethyl acetate. No differences (p > 0.05) were detected for docosahexaenoic acid content between the traditional procedure and green systems, with all values being included in the 31.12−32.61 g·100 g−1 total FA range. The suitability of EtOH-containing green systems for extraction of bioactive lipid compounds from squid by-products was concluded.

Effect of Three Defatting Solvents on the Techno-Functional Properties of an Edible Insect (Gryllus bimaculatus) Protein Concentrate

Edible insects have received global attention as an alternative protein-rich food. However, their structural characteristics make them difficult to digest. To overcome this obstacle, we assessed the techno-functional properties of three protein concentrates from the cricket Gryllus bimaculatus. Freeze-dried G. bimaculatus powder was defatted using ethanol, hexene, or acetone as solvents, and the techno-functional properties (protein solubility, water and oil holding capacity, foaming properties, emulsion capacity, and gel formation) of the protein concentrates were determined. Freeze-dried G. bimaculatus powder comprised approximately 17.3% crude fat and 51.3% crude protein based on dry weight. Ethanol was the most effective solvent for reducing the fat content (from 17.30% to 0.73%) and increasing the protein content (from 51.3% to 62.5%) of the concentrate. Techno-functionality properties drastically differed according to the defatting solvent used and foaming properties were most affected. Thus, the techno-functional and whole properties must be considered for proper application of edible insects to achieve global food sustainability.