Integrated processing of fresh Indian sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides) berries and chemical evaluation of products

Abstract

AbstractAn efficient pilot‐scale process was developed to produce nutraceutical products from fresh sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides) berries. Fresh berries were subjected to high‐pressure dewatering using a continuous screw press. The separated liquid phase containing 80–90% of pulp oil was clarified at 80 °C and centrifuged to obtain pulp oil, clear juice and sludge. The pulp oil yield was 2.7–2.8% of fresh berry weight with 66–70% extraction efficiency. The pulp oil was remarkably rich in carotenoids (2450–2810 mg kg−1), tocopherols (1409–1599 mg kg−1) and sterols (4096–4403 mg kg−1), with a characteristic fresh berry flavour and 16:1 as the major fatty acid (45.6–49.1%). The clear juice obtained was free from oil and contained high amounts of vitamin C (1683–1840 mg kg−1) and phytochemicals such as polyphenols (2392–2821 mg kg−1) and flavonoids (340–401 mg kg−1). Isorhamnetin (251–310 mg kg−1) was the major flavonoid in the juice, along with quercetin (77–81 mg kg−1) and kaempherol (12–16 mg kg−1). The juice was very acidic (pH 3), with high concentrations of organic acids (30.8–36.0 g kg−1). High‐performance liquid chromatography profiling of organic acids revealed quinic acid (18.1–19.9 g kg−1) as the major acid in the juice. The seeds in the pressed cake were separated and extracted for oil using supercritical CO2. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry