Extraction of oil and β-sitosterol from peach (Prunus persica) seeds using supercritical carbon dioxide

Abstract

Oil was extracted from the peach (Prunus persica) seeds by supercritical carbon dioxide. Principal phytosterols (stigmasterol, campesterol and β-sitosterol) that have been known to have cholesterol lowering properties were investigated in the extracted oil. Based on gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) analysis, β-sitosterol was identified in the peach seed oil. The effects of temperature, pressure, flow rate of supercritical CO2, mean particle size of the seeds and extraction time on the amounts of extracted oil and β-sitosterol were investigated. Supercritical fluid extractions were performed in a range of 35–55°C, 160–240bar, 4–8ml CO2/min, 0.3–1.7mm and 1–4h for mentioned parameters. The results indicated that the amounts of oil and β-sitosterol extracted from the peach seeds were optimal with values of 35.3g/100g seed and 1220mg/kg seed respectively at 40°C, 200bar, 7ml/min, 0.3mm and 3h.