Process intensification for obtaining natural extracts and on-line particle formation using supercritical technology

• Grant number: 14/15685-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Start date: March 01, 2015
• End date: February 29, 2016
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Food Science and Technology - Food Engineering
• Principal Investigator: Maria Angela de Almeida Meireles Petenate
• Grantee: Giovani Leone Zabot
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Engenharia de Alimentos (FEA). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Production of natural extracts containing bioactive compounds has gained notoriety, as well as the concern in reducing energy consumption in productive processes has expanded. Based on this scenario, the current project covers a research that focuses in applying the principles of process intensification to develop a novel design for obtaining and micronizing bioactive compounds. The design comprises the on-line association of extraction with supercritical antisolvent precipitation. The aim is to use pressurized ethanol and/or a sub/supercritical mixture of CO2 + ethanol to extract phenolic substances from agroindustrial residues, as onion peels and apple skins. The mixture of extract + ethanol + CO2 (antisolvent) will be immediately precipitated. The highlight of this design is to reuse the pressure energy applied in the extraction as a useful energy for spraying and producing sub-micrometric particles. The design of the intensified process allows reducing the energy consumption and prevents degrading bioactive compounds when compared with actual processes. In the intensified process, the extract is directed to the precipitator, avoiding the contact with light and oxygen as happen in the current processes for the steps of collecting the extract and preparing the solution. Selecting suitable operational conditions in relationship to temperature, pressure, fluid flow and solvent to antisolvent ratio will be the great challenge to overcome for enabling the proposed process to be technic and economically feasible. Products will be analyzed in terms of precipitation yield, residual solvent, chemical composition, particle morphology, average size and particle size distribution. (AU)

Scientific publications

(5)

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

SILVA, ERIC KEVEN; ZABOT, GIOVANI L.; MEIRELES, M. ANGELA A.. Ultrasound-assisted encapsulation of annatto seed oil: Retention and release of a bioactive compound with functional activities. Food Research International, v. 78, p. 159-168, DEC 2015. (14/15685-1, 12/10685-8)

SILVA, ERIC KEVEN; ZABOT, GIOVANI L.; BARGAS, MATHEUS A.; MEIRELES, M. ANGELA A.. Microencapsulation of lipophilic bioactive compounds using prebiotic carbohydrates: Effect of the degree of inulin polymerization. Carbohydrate Polymers, v. 152, p. 775-783, NOV 5 2016. (15/13299-0, 15/22226-6, 14/15685-1, 12/10685-8)

ZABOT, GIOVANI L.; SILVA, ERIC KEVEN; AZEVEDO, VIVIANE M.; MEIRELES, M. ANGELA A.. Replacing modified starch by inulin as prebiotic encapsulant matrix of lipophilic bioactive compounds. Food Research International, v. 85, p. 26-35, JUL 2016. (14/15685-1, 12/10685-8, 15/13299-0, 15/22226-6)

SILVA, ERIC KEVEN; ZABOT, GIOVANI L.; CAZARIN, CINTHIA B. B.; MAROSTICA, JR., MARIO R.; MEIRELES, M. ANGELA A.. Biopolymer-prebiotic carbohydrate blends and their effects on the retention of bioactive compounds and maintenance of antioxidant activity. Carbohydrate Polymers, v. 144, p. 149-158, JUN 25 2016. (14/15685-1, 12/10685-8, 15/13299-0)

ZABOT, GIOVANI L.; BITENCOURTE, IURI P.; TRES, MARCUS V.; MEIRELES, M. A. A.. Process intensification for producing powdered extracts rich in bioactive compounds: An economic approach. JOURNAL OF SUPERCRITICAL FLUIDS, v. 119, p. 261-273, JAN 2017. (14/15685-1, 12/10685-8, 15/13299-0)