A novel application for supercritical CO2 extraction was investigated by scientists in the Department of Analytical Chemistry at Bezmialem Vakıf University in Turkey. The method they developed and performed on Bee Bread utilized a SFT-120 SFE/Nex10 sc-CO2 Pump to explore and optimize the extraction of phenolic compounds from Bee bread with sc-CO2. Bee bread is a valuable bee product that has recently attracted significant public interest as a nutritional supplement.
Sample preparation for the Bee Bread samples consisted of milling the material with a laboratory grinder (200micron) and drying with a freeze-dryer, which is a standard method for preparing natural products for extraction. All samples were stored at -18°C until the extraction procedures were carried out. Through experimentation it was determined that the optimal sc-CO2 extraction conditions for producing the best yields of Aegean Bee Bread are a dynamic extraction process at 5802 psi (40 MPa) pressure, 45°C, with a 17 L/hr. CO2 flow rate for one hour. Both polar and nonpolar extracts were obtained by supercritical fluid extraction.
The SFT-120 SFE and the Nex10 CO2 Pump provide capabilities in an affordable, easy to use extraction system for this type of exploratory research. It features interchangeable vessels ranging in size from 5 ml to 100 ml, direct contact vessel heaters, and an integrated pre-heater for rapid warm up and precise temperature control. A thermocouple though the vessel wall into vessel interior provides direct measurement of fluid temperature. Quick disconnects for the heaters and the thermocouple make changing vessels fast and easy.
The Nex10 high pressure liquid CO2 pump is a relatively new offering from SFT. It is a robust, high performance, pneumatically driven piston pump that takes liquid CO2 from tank pressure (800-900 psi) up to 10,000 psi (68.9 MPa) at flow rates up to 50 ml/min.
For more information, please call us at 302-738-3420 or visit us on-line at www.supercriticalfluids.com.
Supercritical Fluid Technologies develops innovative solutions for demanding separation and material processing needs. With nearly two decades of experience, SFT provides cutting-edge equipment and custom solutions for high quality separations and processing. SFT collaborates with Fortune 500 businesses, major universities, government research centers and smaller specialized organizations worldwide to advance research in supercritical fluid separation, reaction chemistry and high-pressure applications.
Reference: “Quantitative Analysis of Bio accessible Phenolic Compounds in Aegean Bee Bread Using LC-HRMS Coupled with a Human Digestive System Model”. Ebru Erol Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Bezmialem Vakıf University. Chem. Biodiversity 2024, 21, 01 February 2024