Process variables study on supercritical CO_2 extraction of Brazilian cherry seeds (Eugenia uniflora L.) rich in bioactive volatile

摘要

Brazilian Cherry is a fruit of high nutritional value, whose extract has various pharmacological effects. The seed, pulp processing waste, has a considerable antioxidant potential and the study of the extract obtained by supercritical technology (SFE) can enable more appropriate applications. Thus, our objectives were to obtain extracts of Brazilian cherry seeds by supercritical CO_2 under different conditions and study its composition. The seeds were dried and ground, then the humidity (12.73% ± 0.2), size of external diameter (0.48 mm) and ethereal extract (0.52% ± 0.09) were determined to characterize these samples. The SFE was based on the contact between the crushed seeds and the supercritical CO_2 at different pressure (P) and temperature (T) conditions, which were defined as a central composite design (CCD) 2~2 with P and T as independent variables. The answers were the yield and the amount of phenolic compounds. Furthermore, preliminary analysis of composition was performed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The yield of the extracts ranged from 0.16% to 0.48%, P being the only significant variable (p <0.05). The response surface analysis (RSA) showed that the best yields are obtained at high P, indicating that the extraction can be performed at low T to protect the thermosensitive substances. The phenolic compounds ranged from 0006 to 0033 mg GAE × 100~(-1)g seeds. The preliminary analysis by GC/MS indicated as the major volatile sesquiterpenes the germacrone and the germacrene B which have a known biological activity.