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

　　Zenggen Liu, Lijuan Mei, Qilan Wang, Yun Shao, Yanduo Tao. Optimization of subcritical fluid extraction of seed oil from Nitraria tangutorum using response surface methodology. LWT- Food Science and Technology, 2014, 56: 168-174

　　Abstract: 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 GCeMS, indicate that its unsaturated fatty acids content was 97%. SFE proved to be an effective technique for extracting oil from N. tangutorum.

　　Keywords: Subcritical fluid extraction, Response surface methodology, Seeds oil, GC/MS, Nitraria tangutorum Bobr