Development of the cold ethanol extraction technology applied to obtain natural extracts: efficient extraction of nonpolar bioactive compounds and minimization of co-extraction of undesirable compounds

• Grant number: 20/09700-9
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Innovative Research in Small Business - PIPE
• Start date: June 01, 2021
• End date: February 28, 2022
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Food Science and Technology - Food Engineering
• Principal Investigator: Pedro Ivo Nunes de Carvalho
• Grantee: Pedro Ivo Nunes de Carvalho
• Company: Singularity Extraction Technologies Serviços Ltda
• CNAE: Pesquisa e desenvolvimento experimental em ciências físicas e naturais
• Associated researchers: Gustavo Gianotti de Lima
• Associated scholarship(s): 21/05600-2 - Development of the cold ethanol extraction technology applied to obtain natural extracts: efficient extraction of nonpolar bioactive compounds and minimization of co-extraction of undesirable compounds, BP.PIPE

Abstract

The search for more efficient and more selective extraction processes must be constant, whether in academia or industry. A selective extraction process for the target compounds is important to minimize the times and costs required with the clarification and purification of the extracts, which can directly affect the economic feasibility of a project. In this sense, the present project proposes the development of a national and innovative extraction technology. A selective technology for the production of extracts rich in nonpolar bioactive compounds from vegetable matrixes. The main objective of the project is to demonstrate the technical-economic feasibility and potential of the cold ethanol extraction technology, which uses ethanol at negative temperatures of up to -80 °C as a solvent. For the feasibility research of the technology, it is being proposed the assembly and validation of lab-scale equipment and the application of the technology in the selective extraction of medicinal compounds from two vegetable matrices of great commercial value: jambu and cannabis. It is believed that in addition to achieving efficiency in the extraction of target compounds (spilanthol from jambu and cannabinoids from cannabis), the technology will minimize the co-extraction of chlorophyll and waxes (undesirable compounds). The co-extraction of chlorophyll and waxes is a problem that occurs, for instance, in the extraction processes using supercritical CO2 and heated ethanol as solvents. An economic simulation study will be also carried out based on the extraction data obtained. (AU)