Optimization of avocado oil solvent extraction assisted by CaCO3 as coadjuvant using Response Surface Methodology

Abstract

Coadjuvants, such as CaCO3, are essential to improve the effectiveness of the extraction process. This study aimed to assess how the addition of CaCO3 as a coadjuvant impacts the yield of avocado oil through the process of solvent extraction using hexane. Response surface methodology was employed to optimize parameters influencing oil yield during solvent extraction. A Box-Behnken design with three factors and three levels was utilized for the optimization process. Factors involved are, concentration of CaCO3 (1, 1.5, 2%), extraction time (30, 60, 90 min), and temperature of extraction (25, 35, 45 °C). The linear model provided the most accurate fit to the experimental data, substantiated by the highest determination coefficient (R2) value. The experiment showed that the highest yield of avocado oil, reaching 48.06%, was obtained by extracting it under the specified conditions: a CaCO3 concentration of 1.92%, an extraction time of 89.85 minutes, and a temperature of 43 °C. The extraction yield of 48.77±0.14% obtained from the experiments using optimized conditions.