Extraction of rye bran by supercritical carbon dioxide: influence of temperature, CO2, and cosolvent flow rates

Process parameter optimization for the supercritical CO(2) extraction of rye bran to obtain alkylresorcinols (AR) was studied by carrying out a two-level fractional design experiment. Four parameters, temperature, CO(2) flow rate, cosolvent percentage, and extraction time, presumed to influence the extraction process, were analyzed. A tentative fractionation of the crude extract was also carried out and is discussed. The best extracts were achieved when the CO(2) flow rate and extraction time or temperature and cosolvent addition were kept high. It was found that temperature increase was not statistically significant within the range of the study performed, and the extraction time was thus the most important factor. A preliminary fractionation process in two cyclone separators yielded two fractions, one rich in AR components with higher molecular weights and the other rich in AR components with low molecular weight.