Pilot scale supercritical CO2 extraction of carotenoids from sweet paprika (Capsicum annuum L.): Influence of particle size and moisture content of plant material

Abstract

The extraction of important phytochemicals such as carotenoids from sweet paprika using supercritical carbon dioxide (SC–CO2) was discussed in this paper. The effect of particle size, moisture content, and composition of raw material on extraction efficiency, the content of carotenoid in the paprika extract and recovery of carotenoid were demonstrated. Results of SC-CO2 extraction were compared to extraction using n-hexane. It was observed that increasing lipid content and reducing particle size led to an increase in extraction efficiency and also the increase in carotenoids recovery. The moisture content of paprika below 7.5 g/100 g did not have an effect on process efficiency and carotenoid extraction. However, higher content of water in paprika has an impact on the decrease of carotenoid recovery, and it necessitated the additional separation of water from the paprika extract. The optimal working parameters with respect to the extract yield and recovery of carotenoid was the extraction of paprika with the moisture content of 7.5 g/100 g and particle size of <0.2 mm using SC-CO2 at 45 MPa and 50 °C.