Supercritical Fluid Extraction of Oils from Cactus Opuntia ficus-indica L. and Opuntia dillenii Seeds

This study aimed to assess the capability of supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) as an alternative and green technique compared to Soxhlet extraction for the production of oils from Opuntia ficus-indica (OFI) seeds originating from Yemen and Italy and Opuntia dillenii (OD) seeds from Yemen. The following parameters were used for SFE extraction: a pressure of 300 bar, a CO2 flow rate of 1 L/h, and temperatures of 40 and 60 degrees C. The chemical composition, including the fatty acids and tocopherols (vitamin E) of the oils, was determined using chromatographic methods. The highest yield was achieved with Soxhlet extraction. The oils obtained with the different extraction procedures were all characterized by a high level of unsaturated fatty acids. Linoleic acid (<= 62% in all samples) was the most abundant one, followed by oleic and vaccenic acid. Thirty triacylglycerols (TAGs) were identified in both OFI and OD seed oils, with trilinolein being the most abundant (29-35%). Vanillin, 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde, vanillic acid, and hydroxytyrosol were phenols detected in both OFI and OD oils. The highest gamma-tocopherol content (177 +/- 0.23 mg/100 g) was obtained through the SFE of OFI seeds from Yemen. Overall, the results highlighted the potential of SFE as green technology to obtain oils suitable for functional food and nutraceutical products.

Automated summary

This study evaluated the potential of supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) as a green alternative to Soxhlet extraction for obtaining oils from Opuntia ficus-indica (OFI) and Opuntia dillenii (OD) seeds. SFE with specific parameters produced oils rich in unsaturated fatty acids and tocopherols. The highest yield was achieved through Soxhlet extraction, and the most abundant fatty acid in all samples was linoleic acid. SFE of OFI seeds from Yemen resulted in the highest gamma-tocopherol content. Overall, SFE demonstrated its suitability for producing oils with potential applications in functional food and nutraceutical products.