Search

In this work, the use of supercritical carbon dioxide, a nontoxic solvent, was proposed to extract bioactive compounds from Juglans regia L. green husk and was compared to other traditional techniques based on solvents such as ethanol, methanol and water. Supercritical CO2 was combined with ethanol as an organic modifier at a rate of 20% of the total flow to achieve greater extraction of polar compounds. The extracts were characterised in terms of extraction yields, antioxidant activity, total polyphenol content, phenolic acids, juglone, volatile organic compounds and antifungal activity. The results showed that the extracts obtained with supercritical CO2 were rich in polyphenols (10750 mg GAE/100 g) and juglone (1192 mg/100 g) and exerted high antioxidant activity and antifungal activity compared with the tested fungi. Walnut green husk is not just a food industry waste but also an important economic source of bioactive compounds that could be used for food active packaging.

Tomato waste is characterized by high amounts of bioactive compounds, such as carotenoids, polyphenols and essential fatty acids. In this work, oleoresins were produced from tomato waste (skins + seeds) and skins using carbon dioxide under liquid and supercritical conditions. The use of ethanol as a co-solvent was also evaluated. Compositions of the oleoresins were analysed and compared to oleoresin obtained by means of an organic solvent, which was used as the control. Oleoresin extraction from the waste by liquid and supercritical CO2 provided the highest yields (12.5-12.9%). The extracts obtained from the skins with supercritical CO2 without ethanol had the highest content of α- and γ-tocopherols (80 and 575 mg/100 g oleoresin, respectively), while lycopene and β-carotene were found at 205 and 75 mg/100 g oleoresin, respectively. The highest quantity of polyphenols (9305 mg GAE/100 g oleoresin) was found in the oleoresin extracted from skin by supercritical CO2with ethanol. All oleoresins were characterized by a high antioxidant activity, which improved with the synergy of carotenoids, tocopherols and polyphenols.

The increase in the popularity of hemp-based products is mainly linked to the presence of non-psychoactive cannabinoids that provide relief from aches, pain and anxiety. In this study, hemp seed oils were produced by two innovative and environmentally friendly extraction techniques: supercritical and liquid carbon dioxide (CO2) extraction. The chemical composition of the two oils was analysed and compared with that of a control oil obtained by solvent (n-hexane) extraction. Both oils obtained by liquid and supercritical CO2 extraction presented interesting compositions: they contained large amounts of cannabinoids, polyphenols and tocopherols and were less oxidised than the control and contained a large amount of hexanal, which provided a pleasant aroma. The maximum cannabinoid content was found in the oil obtained by liquid CO2 extraction (71.51 mg of cannabidiol per kg of oil and 113.92 mg of cannabinol per kg of oil). Carotenoids were prevalent in the oil obtained by supercritical CO2 extraction (61.00 mg kg 1 of oil).