Supercritical SC-CO_2 and Soxhlet n-Hexane Extract of Tunisian Opuntia ficus indica Seeds and Fatty Acids Analysis

• Published in: Journal of Lipids Vol. 2012; pp. 306 - 311
• Main Authors: Nizar Yeddes, Jamila Kalthoum Chérif, Amel Jrad, Danielle Barth, Malika Trabelsi-Ayadi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hindawi Limiteds 01.12.2012
• ISSN: 2090-3030; 2090-3049
• DOI: 10.1155/2012/914693

The fatty acids profiles of Tunisian Opuntia ficus indica seeds (spiny and thornless form) were investigated. Results of supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO 2 ) and soxhlet n -hexane extract were compared. Quantitatively, the better yield was obtained through soxhlet n -hexane: 10.32% (spiny) and 8.91% (thornless) against 3.4% (spiny) and 1.94% (thornless) by SC-CO 2 extract ( T  = 40°C, P = 180 bar, time = 135 mn, CO 2 flow rate = 15 mL · s −1 ). Qualitatively, the main fatty acids components were the same for the two types of extraction. Linoleic acid was the major compound, SC-CO 2 : 57.60% (spiny), 59.98% (thornless), soxhlet n -hexane: 57.54% (spiny), 60.66% (thornless), followed by oleic acid, SC-CO 2 : 22.31% (spiny), 22.40% (thornless), soxhlet n -hexane: 25.28% (spiny), 20.58% (thornless) and palmitic acid, SC-CO 2 : 14.3% (spiny), 12.92% (thornless), soxhlet n -hexane: 11.33% (spiny), 13.08% (thornless). The SC-CO 2 profiles fatty acids showed a richness with other minority compounds such as C 20:1 , C 20:2 , and C 22 .The seeds oil was highly unsaturated (US = 4.44–5.25), and the rising temperatures donot affect the selectivity of fatty acids extract by SC-CO2: US = 4.44 ( T  = 40°C) and 4.13 ( T  = 70°C).