Supercritical fluid extraction of sterols from Eichhornia crassipes biomass using pure and modified carbon dioxide. Enhancement of stigmasterol yield and extract concentration

- SFE of sterols, particularly stigmasterol, from stalks and leaves of Eichhornia crassipes.
- Experimental conditions tested: 200-300 bar, 0.0-5.0 wt.% ethanol. Temperature is a weak factor.
- Optimization of the supercritical fluid extraction based on DoE and RSM approaches.
- Total extraction yield, sterols extraction yield, and sterols concentrations were measured.
- Globally, maximum pressure and ethanol contents of 2.5-5.0 wt.% are recommended.