Extraction of crambe seed oil using subcritical propane: Kinetics, characterization and modeling

• Temperature has the most significant effect on the extraction yield using propane.
• Experimental conditions showed no significant influence on fatty acids composition.
• Low levels of free fatty acids were found in the extracts (<2%).
• Phytosterols and tocopherols were affected by the extraction conditions.
• Sovová model represented the experimental data with a maximum error of 5.7%.

In this study, the extraction of crambe seed oil Crambe abyssinica H. FMS Brilhante using subcritical propane as a solvent was investigated. The extraction yield and oil characteristics were compared with the oil extracted using n-hexane and dichloromethane. A factorial experimental design was used in order to evaluate the effects of temperature (313–353 K) and pressure (8–16 MPa) on the extracted yield using subcritical propane. It was observed that the temperature has the most significant effect on the extraction yield and the highest yield (32.8 wt%) was obtained at 353 K and 16 MPa. The experimental conditions showed no significant influence on fatty acids composition. Low levels of free fatty acids were found in the extracts (<2%), and the amounts of phytosterols and tocopherols were affected by the subcritical extraction conditions. A longer oxidative induction time was observed for the obtained oil using the subcritical method. The Sovová mathematical model represented satisfactorily the experimental data.

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