Supercritical carbon dioxide fractionation of nonesterified alkoxyglycerols obtained from shark liver oil

Ethanolysis of shark liver oil was carried out to generate a product enriched in nonesterified alkoxyglycerols and fatty acid ethyl esters. For the present study, the original oil contained very low amounts of squalene, and thus, unsaponifiable matter was mainly constituted by nonesterified alkoxyglycerols (NEAKG). A small percentage of monoesterified alkoxyglycerols (MEAKG) was also detected. Supercritical fluid extraction was employed to fractionate the mixture, achieving a complete elimination of esters and concentrating the alkoxyglycerol compounds in the raffinate product. Extractions were carried out in a countercurrent packed column, using extraction pressures in the range of 140-180 bar, temperatures from 45 to 65 degrees C, and a solvent-to-feed ratio of 15. NEAKG + MEAKG purity obtained in the raffinate at the best extraction conditions was around 78% w/w, and satisfactory yield (>60%) was also achieved. Therefore, the raffinate product can be re-esterified to design highly valuable ether lipid compounds.