Volume 42, Issue 4 e13049
ORIGINAL ARTICLE

Experimental study and optimization of the extraction of Algerian date stones oil (Phoenix dactylifera L.) using supercritical carbon dioxide

Mehdi Louaer

Mehdi Louaer

Laboratoire de l'Ingénierie des Procédés de l'Environnement, Université Constantine 3, Ali Mendjeli, Algeria

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Ahmed Zermane

Ahmed Zermane

Laboratoire de l'Ingénierie des Procédés de l'Environnement, Université Constantine 3, Ali Mendjeli, Algeria

Department of Industrial Chemistry, Université Larbi Ben M'hidi, Oum El Bouaghi, Algeria

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Ouassila Larkeche

Ouassila Larkeche

Laboratoire de l'Ingénierie des Procédés de l'Environnement, Université Constantine 3, Ali Mendjeli, Algeria

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Abdeslam-Hassen Meniai

Corresponding Author

Abdeslam-Hassen Meniai

Laboratoire de l'Ingénierie des Procédés de l'Environnement, Université Constantine 3, Ali Mendjeli, Algeria

Correspondence

Abdeslam-Hassen Meniai, Laboratoire de l'Ingénierie des Procédés de l'Environnement, Université Constantine 3, Ali Mendjeli, Algeria.

Email: [email protected]

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First published: 28 March 2019
Citations: 17

Abstract

An experimental extraction of Algerian date stones oil was carried out using supercritical carbon dioxide. Response surface methodology was used to investigate the effect of pressure (150–250 bar), temperature (313–333 K) and particles diameter (0.3–0.9 mm) on the extraction yield. The comparison of the predicted results with the experimental values confirmed the reliability of this technique. The optimum yield value was determined around 14.26% and was obtained at a pressure of 250 bar, a temperature of 333 K and particles diameter of 0.3 mm. the conventional solvent extraction using Soxhlet apparatus shows that the oil content of the date stones sample was about 16.22%. The fatty acids composition was determined using GC-FID analysis, showing that the oleic acid was the major compound present in this oil.

Practical applications

Locally date stones are an abundant waste product of date processing industries which are rich in many valuables substances such as carbohydrates, oil, dietary fibers, vitamins, proteins, bioactive polyphenols and natural antioxidants, making them an attractive source for the extraction of bioactive compounds because of their low cost and high nutrient content. They can be used in many applications like the production of caffeine-free coffee, food products formulation, cosmetics, and functional and medicinal supplements. They are a by-product that can be easily collected and recycled in an economic and sustainable way. Also date stones oil is a great source of saturated, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acid acids which have several good human health benefits. The use of supercritical carbon dioxide extraction of date stones oil can be regarded as a great opportunity to develop the production of high quality date stones oil and exploit all the mentioned important properties.

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