Extraction of Added-Value Triterpenoids from Acacia dealbata Leaves Using Supercritical Fluid Extraction

Forestry biomass is a by-product which commonly ends up being burnt for energy generation, despite comprising valuable bioactive compounds with valorisation potential. Leaves of Acacia dealbata were extracted for the first time by supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) using different conditions of pressure, temperature and cosolvents. Total extraction yield, individual triterpenoids extraction yields and concentrations were assessed and contrasted with Soxhlet extractions using solvents of distinct polarity. The extracts were characterized by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and target triterpenoids were quantified. The total extraction yields ranged from 1.76 to 11.58 wt.% and the major compounds identified were fatty acids, polyols, and, from the triterpenoids family, lupenone, alpha-amyrin and beta-amyrin. SFE was selective to lupenone, with higher individual yields (2139-3512 mg kg(leaves)(-1)) and concentrations (10.1-12.4 wt.%) in comparison to Soxhlet extractions, which in turn obtained higher yields and concentrations of the remaining triterpenoids.

Automated summary

Forestry biomass, often burned for energy generation, contains valuable bioactive compounds. This study extracted compounds from Acacia dealbata leaves using supercritical fluid extraction, showing higher selectivity for lupenone compared to Soxhlet extraction. While SFE yielded more lupenone, Soxhlet extraction obtained higher yields of other triterpenoids.