ULTRASONIC-ASSISTED SOLVENT EXTRACTION OF CAROTENOIDS FROM RAPESEED MEAL: OPTIMIZATION USING RESPONSE SURFACE METHODOLOGY

Ultrasound-assisted solvent extraction of carotenoids from rapeseed meal was investigated and evaluated by response surface methodology. We have compared the yields of carotenoids by using five different solvent systems, and found that the highest yield can be achieved under petroleum ether/acetone (v/v = 1/1). We have further tested the effect of ultrasonic power, modulation frequency, duration, temperature, liquid to material ratio and extraction times on the yield of carotenoids by adopting Plackett-Burman and Box-Behnken experimental design methods. Optimal conditions for obtaining high yield of carotenoids were as follows: temperature 49.6C, liquid to material ratio 41.4 mL/g, duration 48.5 min, ultrasonic power 252.9 W (240 W was used in the control experiments). Under the above conditions, average carotenoid yield was 0.1577 +/- 0.0014 mg/g, and the extraction percentage was 79.61 +/- 0.71%. The results indicated that rapeseed meal was a promising alternative source for carotenoid extraction.