Pilot scale demonstration of integrated extraction-adsorption eco-process for selective recovery of antioxidants from berries wastes

A new integrated extraction-adsorption process has recently been proposed for selective recovery of antioxidants from black chokeberry wastes. This green process consists in combining extraction of antioxidants and simultaneous enrichment of the extracts in a single operation. The objective of the present work was to demonstrate pilot scale feasibility of this new process for production of larger quantities of antioxidant rich extracts. To prepare better the pilot scale experiment, the process was firstly optimized at a laboratory scale. Best results were obtained at process duration of 8 h and 10 cycles of liquid phase. A scale-up factor of 50 between laboratory and pilot scale was applied for quantities of raw source, adsorbent (both from 4 to 200 g) and solvent (from 0.8 to 40 L). The results obtained at pilot scale were similar to those at laboratory scale, showing that the integrated extraction-adsorption process could be used for production of large quantities of extracts highly rich in antioxidant phenolics.