Abstract
The aim of this research was to select parameters for supercritical extraction with CO2 of Medicago sativa L., considered as functional food, in quarter-technical plant, providing the highest concentration of bioactive polar constituents and simultaneously maintaining the highest efficiency of the process. For the purpose of optimization, mathematical statistics was used. Qualitative analysis of products was performed with supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC). The SFC analysis revealed a proper separation of flavonoids and phenolics acids for dedicated TFC and TPC optimal parameters. The obtained results have proved that it is a possibility to extract polar compounds with non-polar solvent under higher values of pressure and temperature and to enrich product with desired group of bioactive compounds with proper optimization. The proposed extraction technique allows to obtain on an industrial scale, using an environmentally friendly solvent, a preparation rich in biologically active nutrients that can be implemented in the cosmetics, pharmaceutical and food industries.
Highlights
Alfalfa belongs to plant species widely spread in Poland
All of the investigated extraction parameters i.e., temperature, pressure and flow rate had an influence on yield, total phenolics content and total flavonoids content
The highest yield, content of Total Phenolics Content (TPC) and Total Flavonoids Content (TFC) were determined for extracts obtained under 352.99 K, 78.55 MPa, 6.83 kg h−1 ; 353.15K, 71.74 MPa 3.32 kg h−1 and 351.51 K, 78.29 MPa, 6.72 kg h−1, respectively
Summary
Alfalfa (lucerne, Mediacago sativa L.) belongs to plant species widely spread in Poland. Lucerne is rich in bioactive compounds like phenolic components, saponins (hederagenin, soyasapogenol), essential amino acids (valine, leucine, threonine and lysine), chlorophylls, vitamins (A, E, C, B1, B2, B6 and B12) or β-carotene. It contains minerals such as Mg, Ca, Cu, Zn, Fe, Mn, P. Wherethrough the great content of the bioactive compounds, the alfalfa product has been used as a food and feed additives and medicine supplements. It is typically consumed by humans as an herbal supplement or Molecules 2019, 24, 4608; doi:10.3390/molecules24244608 www.mdpi.com/journal/molecules
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