Supercritical carbon dioxide extraction of omega-3 oil compounds from Ficus awkeotsang Makino achenes

This work investigated the production of linolenic-rich oil from Ficus awkeotsang Makino achenes using supercritical carbon dioxide extraction. The 16 h Soxhlet n-hexane extraction of these achenes produced total yield of 12.91% and concentration of 686.3 mg/g of the extracted oil. Supercritical carbon dioxide extractions were performed with pressures ranged from 325 to 375 bar, temperatures ranged from 323 to 343 K, and solvent to solid ratios ranged from 80 to 160 by using a three-factor experimental designed response surface methodology. Three responses of total yield (TY), concentration of triglycerides (CTG) and recovery of triglycerides (RTG) were measured. Under a suitable condition, the values of TY, CTG, and RTG were 9.24%, 893.5 mg/g and 93.2%, respectively. This study demonstrated that environmental benign supercritical carbon dioxide extraction of linolenic-rich oil from Ficus awkeotsang M. achenes is a feasible and sustainable green process, alternative to traditional organic solvent extraction.

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► Oil compounds recovered from Ficus awkeotsang achenes by supercritical carbon dioxide.
► Concentration of linolenic acid attains 893.5 mg/g at 370 bar and 335 K.
► SC-CO2 extraction provides a clean method for oil production.