Substitution of carcinogenic solvent dichloromethane for the extraction of volatile compounds in a fat-free model food system

• Physico-chemical characteristics of an extracting solvent are reviewed.
• Substitution solvents for the extraction of volatile compounds are tested.
• Extraction yields are positively correlated with BP and Log Kow of volatile compounds.
• Dichloromethane can be substituted by mixtures of safer solvents.
• Mixtures propan-2-one/cyclopentane, and ethyl acetate/ethanol gave good results.

Dichloromethane is known as a very efficient solvent, but, as other halogenated solvents, is recognized as a hazardous product (CMR substance). The objective of the present work is to propose substitution solvent for the extraction of volatile compounds. The most important physico-chemical parameters in the choice of an appropriate extraction solvent of volatile compounds are reviewed. Various solvents are selected on this basis and on their hazard characteristics. The selected solvents, safer than dichloromethane, are compared using the extraction efficiency of volatile compounds from a model food product able to interact with volatile compounds. Volatile compounds with different hydrophobicity are used. High extraction yields were positively correlated with high boiling points and high Log Kow values of volatile compounds. Mixtures of solvents such as azeotrope propan-2-one/cyclopentane, azeotrope ethyl acetate/ethanol, and mixture ethyl acetate/ethanol (3:1, v/v) gave higher extraction yields than those obtained with dichloromethane.