Supercritical carbon dioxide anti-solvent purification of anti-oxidative compounds from Lycium barbarum fruits by using response surface methodology

This study employed ultrasonic extraction, column elution fractionation and supercritical anti-solvent (SAS) recrystallization in purifying and in preparing micro-sized particles containing zeaxanthin dipalmitate (ZDP) from the Lycium barbarum fruits. Column fractionation of the ultrasonic acetone extract coupled with the SAS process of the ZDP-laden ethyl-acetate solution enhanced the amount of ZDP to 931.5 mg/g in the SAS precipitates (about 64.9% recovery) compared to 72.25 mg/g from the ultrasonic extract alone. A two-factor experimental design by response surface method showed that feed concentration and feed flow rate were important for SAS in obtaining the highest purity and the smallest mean size of the ZDP particles. The purest ZDP compound (98.3%) also led to the proliferation of anti-hydrogen peroxide oxidation of human adult retinal pigment epithelial cells.

► Supercritical anti-solvent recrystallization of purified zeaxanthin palmitates was studied.
► Anti-oxidation bioassay on adult retinal pigment epithelial cells was shown positively.
► Exploring Lycium barbarum as health food supplements was provided.