Optimization of subcritical fluid extraction of seed oil from Nitraria tangutorum using response surface methodology

•The extraction of oil from seeds is of great concern in the food industry.•Oil extracted from Nitraria tangutorum seeds via subcritical fluid extraction (SFE).•SFE combined dynamic extraction with gas chromatography-mass spectrography (GC–MS).•Extraction parameters are optimized via response surface methodology (RSM).•This method is faster, cheaper, and more effective than conventional techniques.

Subcritical fluid extraction (SFE) technology was used to extract oil from Nitraria tangutorum seed. The best possible combination of extraction parameters was found using response surface methodology (RSM) in a three-variable, three-level Box-Behnken experimental design (BBD). The optimum extraction parameters were an extraction time of 40 min, an extraction pressure of 0.60 MPa, an extraction temperature of 44 °C and a raw material particle size of 0.45 mm. Conventional solvent extraction and supercritical CO2 fluid extraction were comparatively used. The yield of seed oil obtained using SFE was 12.92%, which was similar to or higher than the other methods. The chemical compositions of the seed oil, determined by GC–MS, indicate that its unsaturated fatty acids content was 97%. SFE proved to be an effective technique for extracting oil from N. tangutorum.