Scale-up simulation of PLE process applied to recover bio-based materials from Sida rhombifolia leaves

Abstract

Large-scale pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) data are scarce in literature, exposing the lack of information to support industrial projects. In this study, using Sida rhombifolia, the Sovová's model, developed for supercritical fluid extraction (SFE), was applied to describe PLE process, demonstrating good representation of experimental PLE data. A computational code, MatLab Simulation Extraction Models (MSEM), developed for SFE, was adapted to represent PLE mass transfer phenomena, and was able to adequately represent PLE in small and large scales. The performance was evaluated by process yield and extract quality (total phenolic content and antioxidant activity), and the results compared to Soxhlet method. The scale-up criteria consisted of constant geometric and mass transfer parameters between scales, provided statistically equivalent data. The results suggest a large-scale industrial application of a low environmental impact method, with reduced costs and high recovery of bio-based extracts, for application as ingredient for food, medicine or packaging material.