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Supercritical CO2 Extraction Process for Konjac Seed Oil: An Overview of the Procedure and Optimal Conditions

Konjac seed oil supercritical co2 extraction process

Supercritical CO2 (SC-CO2) extraction is a promising method for extracting natural oils from various plant seeds, including konjac seed oil. This method offers several advantages over conventional extraction methods, including high efficiency, selectivity, and environmental sustainability. In this article, we will provide an overview of the SC-CO2 extraction process for konjac seed oil, including the procedure, key variables, and optimal conditions for efficient and sustainable extraction

small co2 extraction machine for sale

Procedure for SC-CO2 Extraction of Konjac Seed Oil

The SC-CO2 extraction procedure for konjac seed oil involves several steps, including:

  1. Preparation of Konjac Seeds: The konjac seeds are cleaned, dried, and ground into powder form.
  2. Loading of Powder into Extraction Vessel: The konjac seed powder is loaded into the extraction vessel.
  3. CO2 Preheating: The CO2 is preheated and pressurized to reach a supercritical state.
  4. Extraction: The supercritical CO2 is passed through the extraction vessel containing the konjac seed powder. During this process, the SC-CO2 dissolves the oil components in the powder, which are then carried away by the CO2.
  5. Separation of Oil and CO2: The oil and CO2 mixture is collected and passed through a separator, where the CO2 is separated and recycled for the next extraction cycle. The remaining oil is then collected.
  6. Purification: The collected oil is then purified using various separation techniques to remove any impurities or unwanted components.

Optimal Conditions for SC-CO2 Extraction of Konjac Seed Oil

The efficiency of the SC-CO2 extraction process depends on several key variables, including pressure, temperature, flow rate, extraction time, and the properties of the solute and solvent. Table 1 below summarizes the optimal conditions for SC-CO2 extraction of konjac seed oil.

Table 1: Optimal conditions for SC-CO2 extraction of konjac seed oil

VariableOptimal Value
Pressure25-30 MPa
Temperature50-60°C
Flow Rate5-10 kg h-1
Extraction Time2-4 hours
Solute PropertiesParticle size: 40-60 mesh; moisture content: less than 8%; oil content: above 42%
Solvent PropertiesCO2 in supercritical state

Interactions among these variables can affect the efficiency and quality of the final product, so it’s crucial to optimize these variables based on the specific solute and solvent being used.

Advantages of SC-CO2 Extraction of Konjac Seed Oil

The SC-CO2 extraction process offers several advantages over conventional extraction methods, including:

  1. High efficiency and selectivity: SC-CO2 can extract oil components selectively and efficiently, resulting in a higher extraction yield and a more pure final product.
  2. Environmental sustainability: SC-CO2 is a non-toxic, non-flammable, and environmentally friendly solvent that can be easily recycled and reused, reducing waste and environmental impact.
  3. Reduced operation costs: Compared to traditional methods such as solvent extraction, the SC-CO2 extraction process requires less equipment and energy input, leading to reduced operational costs.

uality and environmentally friendly method for extracting natural oils from various plant seeds.

Konjac Seed Oil CO2 extraction process

  • Extraction pressure: 20 MPa
  • Extraction temperature: 60°C
  • Separation kettle Ⅰ pressure: 15 MPa
  • Separation kettle Ⅰ temperature: 50°C
  • Separation kettle Ⅱ pressure: 6 MPa
  • Separation kettle Ⅱ temperature: 45°C
  • Extraction time: 90 min
CO2 Essential Oil Extraction Equipment
CO2 Essential Oil Extraction Equipment

Konjac fatty co2 oil

To research the optimal extraction process of supercritical CO2 extraction and analyze the composition of the oil extracted from Konjac fat-soluble components.

Methods: using the yield of Konjac seed oil as the index, optimized supercritical CO2 extraction parameter by orthogonal experiment methodology, and analyzed the compounds of Konjac seed oil by GC-MS.

Konjac is a tuber of Amorphophallus konjac, a herbaceous plant belonging to the genus Amorphaceae. It has the functions of lowering blood lipids, lowering blood pressure, lowering blood sugar, detoxification, beauty, health care, and other functions.

It is mainly produced in the tropical and subtropical regions of the eastern hemisphere. China is one of the origins and has a wide distribution in various provinces in the south of China.

At present, the research on konjac is mainly focused on the study of its plant ecology, cultivation, and major components, but the development of konjac fatty oil has been reported less, and the extracts have a special odor.

The author’s first research on the supercritical CO2 extraction process and composition analysis of konjac fatty oil is of great significance to the further comprehensive development and industrialization of konjac.

CO2 extraction method

Weigh a certain amount of pre-granulated medicinal materials each time and put them into the supercritical co2 extraction machine extraction kettle, heat the extraction kettle, separation kettle I, separation kettle II, and refrigerate the cold machine and storage tank.

When the temperature reaches the requirements of the experiment, open the carbon dioxide gas cylinder, and pressurize the extraction kettle and the separation kettle with a high-pressure pump.

When the pressure reaches the value required by the experiment, close the carbon dioxide, open the circulation valve, and perform the extraction cycle. , Discharge from separate kettle Ⅰ and Ⅱ respectively. After the extraction, the II extracts were combined and separated, weighed, and the yield was calculated according to the following formula.

Preparation method of test article

Take about 10mg of supercritical CO2 extraction, ethanol impregnation extraction, and commercially available fatty oil, accurately weighed, makeup to 10ml with anhydrous ether, add a small amount of anhydrous sodium sulfate to remove water, and pass through a 0.45μm microporous filter membrane, that is got.

Analysis

The optimal process conditions for supercritical CO2 extraction of konjac ceramide are: the pressure of the extraction kettle 28MPa, the temperature of the extraction kettle 60 ℃, the pressure of the separation kettle Ⅰ 15MPa, the temperature of 50 ℃ Kettle II pressure was 6 MPa, the temperature was 45 ° C, and extraction time was 90 min.

In order to verify the above results, the optimal extraction process conditions were used for verification tests. Results The average yield of konjac fatty oil was 1.086%, which was consistent with the orthogonal results, which indicated that the process conditions after orthogonal tests were feasible.

Results

The suitable supercritical fluid extraction separation conditions: 28 MPa extraction pressure, extraction temperature was 60℃; Separate kettle I was15 MPa pressure, separate kettle I temperature was 50℃; Separation reactor II pressure was 6 MPa, separation reactor II temperature was 45℃; Extractiontime was 1.5 h.

Conclusion

Compared with ethanol impregnation, the supercritical fluid extraction process has the advantages of high extraction yield, short extraction time, and fatty oil clear advantages, there was a big difference between the two kinds of components.

Further reading

What Is Konjac?

Konjac seed oil supercritical co2 extraction process
Konjac seed oil supercritical co2 extraction process

Konjac is a root vegetable that grows in parts of Asia. It’s known for its starchy corm, a tuber-like part of the stem that grows underground. The corm is used to make a rich source of soluble dietary fiber known as glucomannan.

The Latin name for the konjac plant is Amorphophallus. People also refer to it as konjaku, elephant yam, devil’s tongue, snake palm, and voodoo lily.

What is konjac used for?

Konjac is a plant that manufacturers use to make high fiber dietary supplements, jellies, and flour. It plays a role in traditional Japanese and Chinese medicine.

People use konjac as traditional medicine and as a food source to make noodles and snacks.

In the Western world, it’s used as a food additive and dietary supplement to lower plasma cholesterol, improve carbohydrate metabolism, and help bowel movements.

The konjac plant has a starchy root called a corm. This is high in a type of dietary fiber called glucomannan. Manufacturers use this part of the plant as a dietary supplement and in the production of high fiber flour and jellies.

Several different products use konjac corm, including:

  • Konjac flour: Producers make this by grinding down dry konjac corms to make flour. People can then use this to make noodles.
  • Konjac jelly: After further processing, konjac flour can form a jelly or gum. This can serve as an alternative to gelatin, which people can use as a food thickener.
  • Konjac soluble fiber: Purifying konjac jelly further turns it into a soluble fiber that serves as a dietary supplement.

13 Benefits of the Konjac Plant

Improves digestion

Konjac is water soluble and therefore aids digestion. It is able to help strengthen your digestive system, making it a great natural remedy for those who have digestion problems. It can also aid with constipation and hemorrhoids.

Helps control diabetes

Because konjac contains glucomannan, this is a great agent to help control sugar levels in the body, therefore helping with the control and symptoms of diabetes.

Absorbs minerals

Konjac can help the body to absorb minerals, making your daily healthy eating much more useful. By helping with the absorption of minerals, any foods and drinks you ingest will be able to be used more effectively.

Oral health benefits

Because the konjac plant contains anti-bacterial properties, it can help with minor oral health problems such as a toothache. The konjac plant can help to clean teeth and fight bacteria.

Increased immunity

Because of the konjac plant’s anti-bacterial properties and antioxidants, it is believed that you may gain an increased immunity. Your body may be able to help fight common diseases such as cold and flu more effectively.

Controlled blood pressure

If you have blood pressure issues, you may want to try and include konjac root into your diet. The plant can help to stabilise blood pressure levels, which therefore will help with your heart health.

Eye health

An interesting benefit to the konjac plant is it’s ability to aid in optical health. The plant can help fight eye related problems, including eye inflammation. It can help to strengthen optical nerves and keep your eyes healthy.

Boost metabolism

Konjac can be used to help increase energy levels and boost metabolism. This is a great option for those looking to increase exercise or help with weight loss.

Aiding PMS symptoms

PMS can be quite problematic for many women and girls, but the konjac plant can help by providing added vitamins and minerals to your diet. This can help to overcome some of the symptoms of PMS for women.

Anti-inflammatory

Konjac contains great amounts of anti-inflammatory agents, which can help with bone and joint health. You might find a way to proper nourish your bones and a decrease in joint pain. This is especially useful for those suffering from conditions such arthritis.

Better skin

If you are looking for a beauty product to help clean your face from daily dirt and grime, konjac sponges are a great choice. Sponges made from konjac can help cleanse the face and thanks to their antibacterial properties, they can help to combat oily skin and reduce acne. These sponges are natural and biodegradable, so when you have finished using them, you can easily put them in your compost.

Weight Loss Supplements

Some reports have been conflicted when it comes to konjac supplements to help with weight loss. Some have found some great results with konjac supplements to help suppress appetite and boost weight loss.

Weight Loss Foods

By far the optimization way people have found to lose weight with the konjac plant is by eating foods with konjac as a key ingredient. Foods such as shirataki noodles, rice and spaghetti-noodles have been created which means less carbohydrates and therefore, lower in calories. This is a great alternative for those wanting to continue eating dishes that would usually be higher in carbs and calories to aid with weight loss.

Konjac Root Extract

Konjac root (Amorphophallus konjac) is popular as a supplement for its glucomannan content.

What is Glucomannan?

Glucomannan is a water-soluble fiber extracted from the konjac root or tuber (Amorphophallus konjac). Because of how glucomannan is structured, it can reach the lower intestines more effectively than some other fibers, which break down in the first part of the small intestine.

This konjac root extract is standardized to 90% glucomannan.

Konjac Root (Amorphophallus konjac) Benefits

Glucomannan in konjac root extract (Amorphophallus konjac) supports the digestive system and may help maintain healthy body weight and cholesterol levels in already healthy individuals when taken in conjunction with a healthy diet and exercise. Glucomannan also helps support heart and cardiovascular health.

  • Great source of fiber
  • Supports digestive health
  • Contributes to heart health
  • Supports the cardiovascular system
  • Helps maintain healthy weight when taken in conjunction with a healthy diet & exercise

Conclusion

CO2 Essential Oil Extraction Equipment

In conclusion, the SC-CO2 extraction process is a promising method for extracting konjac seed oil and offers several advantages over conventional extraction methods. This article has provided an overview of the SC-CO2 extraction procedure for konjac seed oil, including the optimal conditions for efficient and sustainable extraction. The use of a table in this article has helped to present the information in a clear and concise manner, making it easier for readers to understand and apply the principles and procedures involved in SC-CO2 extraction of konjac seed oil.

List of Advantages of SC-CO2 Extraction Compared to Conventional Methods


The advantages of SC-CO2 extraction over conventional methods include:

  1. High efficiency and selectivity
  2. Environmental sustainability
  3. Reduced operation costs

Optimizing the key variables of SC-CO2 extraction is crucial for efficient and sustainable extraction of konjac seed oil. By following the proper procedure and optimal conditions, the SC-CO2 extraction process can provide a high-quality and environmentally friendly method for extracting natural oils from various plant seeds.