Valorization of By-Products from Biofuel Biorefineries: Extraction and Purification of Bioactive Molecules from Post-Fermentation Corn Oil.

Francesco Cairone,Giancarlo Fabrizi,Massimo Lucarini,Alessia Ciogli,Antonia Iazzetti,Gokhan Zengin,Antonella Goggiamani,Luca Cantò,Jose Sanchez Del Pulgar,Petra Ondrejíčková,Stefania Cesa,Gabriella Di Lena

doi:10.3390/foods11020153

Abstract

The aim of this work was to develop innovative and sustainable extraction, concentration, and purification technologies aimed to recover target substances from corn oil, obtained as side stream product of biomass refineries. Residues of bioactive compounds such as carotenoids, phytosterols, tocopherols, and polyphenols could be extracted from this matrix and applied as ingredients for food and feeds, nutraceuticals, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetic products. These molecules are well known for their antioxidant and antiradical capacity, besides other specific biological activities, generically involved in the prevention of chronic and degenerative diseases. The project involved the development of methods for the selective extraction of these minor components, using as suitable extraction technique solid phase extraction. All the extracted and purified fractions were evaluated by NMR spectroscopic analyses and UV–Vis spectrophotometric techniques and characterized by quali-quantitative HPLC analyses. TPC (total phenolic content) and TFC (total flavonoid content) were also determined. DPPH and ABTS radical were used to evaluate radical quenching abilities. Acetylcholinesterase (AChE), amylase, glucosidase, and tyrosinase were selected as enzymes in the enzyme inhibitory assays. The obtained results showed the presence of a complex group of interesting molecules with strong potential in market applications according to circular economy principles.

Highlights

With the perspective of an increasing world population, expected to exceed 9 billion people by 2050, the current production and consumption patterns, relying on extensive exploitation of natural resources, are no longer sustainable
Otherwise, according to the “fractionation strategy” (SPE-FS), different classes of compounds adsorbed on the stationary phase could sequentially eluted by modifying the eluent composition
We described the possible exploitation of corn oil from bioethanol production in high value-added applications

Summary

Introduction

With the perspective of an increasing world population, expected to exceed 9 billion people by 2050, the current production and consumption patterns, relying on extensive exploitation of natural resources, are no longer sustainable. The recovery and valorization of agri-food and agro-industrial waste and by-products via the extraction of bioactive compounds, for further production of functional products for high-value markets, is a promising strategy able to give impulse to the economy while reducing the loss of resources and energy as the environmental burden represented by waste disposal [2,3,4]. A particular kind of by-product is represented by those generated by biofuel biorefineries. These side streams are produced in large volumes and are rich in nutrients and valuable biomolecules that, if properly recovered and valorized, may maximize the efficiency and competitiveness of biofuel production processes. Corn is an important crop produced in large quantities all over the world. Commercial corn oil is mainly obtained by the germ or the kernels of Zea mays L., the main world producers being the United States of America, Mexico, Russia, Belgium, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, and the United Kingdom [5]

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