Determination of bioactive compounds in byproducts obtained from the productive chain of Jatropha oil using ethanol as a solvent

• Grant number: 15/15069-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: February 01, 2016
• End date: December 31, 2016
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Food Science and Technology - Food Science
• Principal Investigator: Marisa Aparecida Bismara Regitano d'Arce
• Grantee: Mayara Silva Ponte
• Host Institution: Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz (ESALQ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Piracicaba , SP, Brazil

Abstract

This project aims to quantify the phenolic compounds and determine the in vitro antioxidant activity of byproducts (meal and ethanolic miscella) from Jatropha oil extraction using ethanol as a solvent. The study is linked to a post-doctoral project with a grant from Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa (FAPESP), process nº 2013/23469-4. It seeks the valoration of the byproducts of the Jatropha biodiesel production chain using ethanol as solvent and acyl acceptor. The replacement of hexane and methanol (non-renewable resources) by ethanol (renewable resource) was performed in the production of soybean biodiesel with environmental (lower residue generation) and economic (energy viability) benefits by the use of byproducts. The extraction of soybean oil using ethanol as solvent generates three products, including a rich-in-ethanol miscella (poor miscella), which is reused in subsequent extractions. The poor miscella is an ethanolic extract of deep yellow color, suggesting the removal of carotenoid pigments and possible retention of significant amounts of antioxidant compounds. Like for soybeans, the poor miscella from Jatropha may contain bioactive compounds that can provide benefits to human health and contribute to reducing the environmental impact that this byproduct can cause.