Dados do Trabalho

Título

OPTIMIZATION OF CAROTENOID EXTRACTION FROM MACAUBA PULP AND PULP PRESS-CAKE USING GRAS SOLVENTS

Introdução

Macauba (Acrocomia aculeata) pulp (MP) and press-cake (PPC) contain carotenoids, which are bioactive compounds that can be extracted by different types of solvents. However, toxic solvents such as hexane, acetone, and petroleum ether, that cause problems to the environment and health, have been extensively used.This study aimed to contributing to the sustainability of extraction processes and expanding the use of Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) solvents.

Material e Métodos

Thus, the non-exhaustive extraction of total carotenoids from the raw material (MP and PPC) was carried out in a water bath with agitation, using different temperatures (25°C, 42.5°C, and 60°C) and times (5, 17.5, and 30 min), and GRAS solvents: ethyl acetate, isopropyl alcohol, and ethanol. Extractions were carried out, and the total carotenoid content was determined by spectrophotometry (450 nm). In the proposed optimization models, it was possible to obtain equations and response surfaces.

Resultados e Discussão

Ethyl acetate stood out as the most efficient solvent to extract carotenoids from MP and PPC, and then, optimized models were evaluated using the same extract parameters and the ethyl acetate.Additionally, for MP, total carotenoid concentrations varied from 182.29 to 220.49 µg/g. For PPC, the values obtained were from 90.28 to 106.94 µg/g. In both models, significance was obtained (p < 0.05) for time and temperature variations. However, the time/temperature interaction was significant only for MP, resulting in higher levels of total carotenoid extraction when combined with longer times and temperatures.

Conclusão

The parameters used in the optimization models proved to be efficient for carotenoid extraction from MP and PCC. Thus, macauba stands out as a promising source for the production of carotenoids, using a GRAS solvent, which can be used as antioxidants and natural food colorants.