Supercritical fluid extraction of coriander seeds: Kinetics modelling and ANN optimization

Abstract

The main goal of this research was mathematical modelling and numerical simulation of the supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) process of coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) seeds. SFE was performed at different set of process parameters: pressure (100, 150 and 200bar), temperature (40, 55 and 70°C) and CO2 flow rate (0.2, 0.3 and 0.4kg/h). Both applied empirical models, derived from models developed by Brunner and Esquivel et al., adequately described SFE process. Second objective was to determine effects of investigated SFE parameters on total extraction yield. Furthermore, calculated parameters from the empirical models were used for the calculation of initial slope, which was successfully used for optimization using artificial neural network (ANN). Optimized SFE conditions for maximized initial slope, i.e. initial rate of the solubility-controlled extraction phase, were pressure of 200bar, temperature of 40°C and CO2 flow rate of 0.4kg/h.