Optimization of microwave-assisted extraction of oil from tiger nut (Cyperus esculentus L.) and its quality evaluation

• Published in: Industrial crops and products Vol. 115; pp. 290 - 297
• Main Authors: Hu, Bin, Zhou, Kang, Liu, Yuntao, Liu, Aiping, Zhang, Qing, Han, Guoquan, Liu, Shuliang, Yang, Yong, Zhu, Yadong, Zhu, Defeng
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.05.2018
• Subjects: Fatty acid composition; Microwave-assisted extraction; Physicochemical properties; Response surface methodology; Tiger nut oil; Tiger nut oil; Fatty acid composition; Microwave-assisted extraction; Response surface methodology; Physicochemical properties
• ISSN: 0926-6690; 1872-633X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.indcrop.2018.02.034

•MAE is an effective method in the extraction of tiger nut oil.•MAE is optimised by response surface methodology with Box-Behnken design.•Oil by MAE reveals similar fatty acid composition as compared with SE.•Oil by MAE exhibits superior quality as compared with SE.•SEM shows that MAE damages the cell structure to promote the release of oil. In this study, Microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) was firstly applied in extraction of tiger nut oil (TNO). Parameters of MAE were optimized by response surface methodology. The optimum extraction conditions were a mixture of petroleum ether (boiling range 60–90 °C) and acetone (2:1, v/v), microwave power 420 W, temperature 75 °C, liquid to solid ratio 7.0 mL/g and time 55 min, which could obtain yield of 24.12%. The fatty acid composition of oil by MAE was similar to that of oil by Soxhlet extraction (SE), whereas oil by MAE exhibited superior physicochemical properties and oxidation stability. Moreover, oil by MAE had a higher content of total phenolic, α-tocopherol, β-carotene, phospholipids and phytosterols. Scanning electron microscopy demonstrated that structural disruption of tiger nut caused by microwave irradiation was the main reason for rapid extraction. So MAE could be a good alternative for extraction of TNO.