Ultrasonic‐Assisted Solvent Extraction of Carotenoids From Rapeseed Meal: Optimization Using Response Surface Methodology

Abstract

AbstractUltrasound‐assisted solvent extraction of carotenoids from rapeseed meal was investigated and evaluated by response surface methodology. We have compared the yields of carotenoids by using five different solvent systems, and found that the highest yield can be achieved under petroleum ether/acetone (v/v = 1/1). We have further tested the effect of ultrasonic power, modulation frequency, duration, temperature, liquid to material ratio and extraction times on the yield of carotenoids by adopting Plackett–Burman and Box–Behnken experimental design methods. Optimal conditions for obtaining high yield of carotenoids were as follows: temperature 49.6C, liquid to material ratio 41.4 mL/g, duration 48.5 min, ultrasonic power 252.9 W (240 W was used in the control experiments). Under the above conditions, average carotenoid yield was 0.1577 ± 0.0014 mg/g, and the extraction percentage was 79.61 ± 0.71%. The results indicated that rapeseed meal was a promising alternative source for carotenoid extraction.Practical ApplicationsCarotenoids are one of the most common natural food colorants and exist widely in plants, bacteria, fungi and animals. Ultrasound has been utilized to assist the solvent extraction of bioactive compounds from vegetal materials, and led to high yield of desired products. In the present study, we have investigated ultrasound‐assisted extraction of carotenoids from rapeseed meal using the response surface methodology. In order to obtain the highest yield of carotenoids, we have examined various operational parameters, such as extraction temperature, liquid to material ratio, solvent composition, extraction time and modulation frequency, and have established optimal conditions to extract carotenoids from rapeseed meal. Our results provide basic knowledge on the extraction of carotenoids from rapeseed meal, which serves as a promising bioresource.