L. Casas

Green Extraction of Antioxidants from Different Varieties of Red Grape Pomace

The extraction yield, phenolic content, anthocyanin content and antioxidant activity of extracts from different varieties of red grapes, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Syrah, Tempranillo and Tintilla, using pressurized green solvents have been analyzed. Two techniques were studied and compared: supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) with CO2 + 20% ethanol and pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) with either ethanol, water or an ethanol/water mixture as the extraction solvents. The Petit Verdot variety allowed the highest global and phenolic yield, and antioxidant activity. The best conditios for PLE obtained from the experimental design and kinetic study were 50% ethanol/water as the pressurized solvent at 90 bar, 120 °C, a flow rate of 5 g/min and, an extraction time of 90 min. A statistical analysis of variance has been performed and it was found that temperature is the only variable that has a statistical influence on the extraction yield. The antioxidant activity levels of the extracts are very promising and they are similar to those obtained with the antioxidant tocopherol.

Effect of the pre-treatment of the samples on the natural substances extraction from Helianthus annuus L. using supercritical carbon dioxide.

The extraction of bioactive compounds from sunflowers (Helianthus annuus L.) with supercritical carbon dioxide has been studied. The samples were treated in four different ways and the effects of two factors (pressure and temperature) were investigated at 100, 500 bar and 35, 50 degrees C. The best yields were obtained using a high temperature and a high pressure (50 degrees C and 500 bar). The dry samples produced better extraction yields than the moist samples. The bioactivities of the extracts were compared for the samples treated in different ways. The best activity profiles were obtained for the moist samples extracted at 35 degrees C and 500 bar.

Isolation of Bioactive Compounds from Sunflower Leaves (Helianthus annuus L.) Extracted with Supercritical Carbon Dioxide

The work described herein is a continuation of our initial studies on the supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) with CO2 of bioactive substances from Helianthus annuus L. var. Arianna. The selected SFE extract showed high activity in the wheat coleoptile bioassay, in Petri dish phytotoxicity bioassays, and in the hydroponic culture of tomato seeds. Chromatographic fractionations of the extracts and a spectroscopic analysis of the isolated compounds showed 52 substances belonging to 10 different chemical classes, which were mainly sesquiterpene lactones, diterpenes, and flavonoids. Heliannuol M (31), helivypolides K and L (36, 37), and helieudesmanolide B (38) are described for the first time in the literature. Metabolites have been tested in the etiolated wheat coleoptile bioassay with good results in a noteworthy effect on germination. The most active compounds were also tested on tomato seeds, heliannuol A (30) and leptocarpin (45) being the most active, with values similar to those of the commercial herbicide.

SFE kinetics of bioactive compounds from Helianthus annuus L.

The kinetics of the supercritical fluid extraction of bioactive compounds from sunflower using CO(2) as solvent were studied in order to establish an efficient method for this extraction. The influence of time of extraction at different solvent flow rates was investigated. The extraction pressure and temperature were optimized in previous studies and these values used were 400 bar and 50 degrees C. The extraction yields and the bioactivity levels of the extracts were also analysed. The results indicate that the most appropriate extraction time is between 120 and 180 min depending on the solvent flow and the pretreatment of the sample. The dried sample extracted at 40 g/min, the congealed sample extracted at the same flow and 180 min, and the dried sample extracted at 25 g/min for 120 min showed the best activity profiles. The extractions were carried out in a pilot plant with an extraction vessel with a capacity of 2 L.

Mango leaf extract improves central pathology and cognitive impairment in a type 2 diabetes mouse model.

Epidemiological studies reveal that metabolic disorders, and specifically type 2 diabetes (T2D), are relevant risk factors to develop Alzheimers disease (AD) and vascular dementia (VaD), the most common causes of dementia. AD patients are in a tremendous need of new therapeutic options because of the limited success of available treatments. Natural polyphenols, and concretely Mangifera indica Linn extract (MGF), have been reported to have antiinflammatory, antioxidant and antidiabetic activities. The role of MGF in central complications associated with T2D, after long‐term treatment of db/db mice with MGF was analyzed. Metabolic parameters (body weight, glucose and insulin levels) as well as central complications including brain atrophy, inflammatory processes, spontaneous bleeding, tau phosphorylation and cognitive function in db/db mice treated with MGF for 22 weeks were assessed. MGF limits body weight gain in obese db/db mice. Insulin and C‐peptide levels, indicative of pancreatic function, were longer maintained in MGF‐treated animals. MGF reduced central inflammation by lowering microglia burden, both in the cortex and the hippocampus. Likewise, central spontaneous bleeding was significantly reduced in db/db mice. Cortical and hippocampal atrophy was reduced in db/db mice and tau hyperphosphorylation was lower after MGF treatment, resulting in partial recovery of learning and memory disabilities. Altogether, the data suggested that MGF treatment may provide a useful tool to target different aspects of AD and VaD pathology, and could lead to more effective clinical therapies for the prevention of metabolic related central complications associated with AD and VaD.

Preparation of polyphenol fine particles potent antioxidants by a supercritical antisolvent process using different extracts of Olea europaea leaves

Various extracts from olive leaves have been precipitated by a supercritical antisolvent (SAS) process to evaluate the possibility of producing polyphenol fine particles with controlled size and size distribution. Olive leaves were initially extracted with subcritical fluids using mixtures of CO2+ethanol at 10% and 50%, by pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) with water, ethanol and a hydroalcoholic mixture (50: 50) (v/v), and also by conventional ethanol extraction (CE). PLE gave the extract with the highest yield and the best antioxidant activity. SAS precipitation was unsuccessful for the extracts obtained with pressurized water and with the hydroalcoholic mixture (50: 50) (v/v). The SAS precipitates with the smallest particle sizes were produced from extracts obtained with subcritical fluids. The SAS precipitates obtained after the conventional ethanol extraction of olive leaves showed the best antioxidant activity.

Helikaurolides A–D with a Diterpene-Sesquiterpene Skeleton from Supercritical Fluid Extracts of Helianthus annuus L. var. Arianna

Four novel compounds (1-4) with an unprecedented skeleton that combines a sesquiterpene lactone and a kaurane diterpene acid were isolated from Helianthus annuus L. var. Arianna extract, which was obtained under supercritical conditions. The structures of 1-4 were elucidated by NMR and MS analyses. The biosynthetic routes involve sesquiterpene lactones and kauranic acid, both of which were previously isolated from this species.

Quality of Cosmetic Argan Oil Extracted by Supercritical Fluid Extraction from Argania spinosa L.

Argan oil has been extracted using supercritical CO2. The influence of the variables pressure (100, 200, 300, and 400 bar) and temperature (35, 45, 55°C) was investigated. The best extraction yields were achieved at a temperature of 45°C and a pressure of 400 bar. The argan oil extracts were characterized in terms of acid, peroxide and iodine values, total tocopherol, carotene, and fatty acids content. Significant compositional differences were not observed between the oil samples obtained using different pressures and temperatures. The antioxidant capacity of the argan oil samples was high in comparison to those of walnut, almond, hazelnut, and peanut oils and comparable to that of pistachio oil. The physicochemical parameters of the extracted oils obtained by SFE, Soxhlet, and traditional methods are comparable. The technique used for oil processing does not therefore markedly alter the quality of argan oil.

Filter Cake Oil-Wax as Raw Material for the Production of Biodiesel: Analysis of the Extraction Process and the Transesterification Reaction

The viability of using the waste obtained in the manufacture of sugar from sugarcane for the production of biodiesel has been analyzed. Two fundamental stages are necessary to obtain biodiesel; the first stage is the extraction process from the waste oil materials and the second is the transesterification reaction. Four techniques, Soxhlet, orbital shaker extraction, ultrasonic-assisted extraction, and supercritical fluid extraction, have been analyzed. For Soxhlet, orbital shaker extraction, and ultrasonic-assisted extraction, the organic solvent (hexane) was maintained for all experiment. In supercritical fluid extraction two solvents were evaluated: pure CO2 and mixtures of CO2 and 5% (v : v) methanol. The reaction kinetics of the transesterification reaction with an acidic catalyst and a basic catalyst were analysed. The results show that the supercritical extraction process produces a better product for the subsequent transesterification reaction. This finding is attributed to the high selectivity of carbon dioxide in the recovery of fatty acids and triglycerides in comparison with other solvents.