Journal of Supercritical Fluids, Vol.135, 91-97, 2018
Supercritical CO2 extraction of bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) seed oil: Fatty acid composition and antioxidant activity
Bilberry seed oils extracted with supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO2) for 80 min at 20, 35, and 50 MPa and at 40 degrees, 50 degrees and 60 degrees C were evaluated to compare the yield, composition, and antioxidant recovery. Analyses of fatty acids, free radical scavenging activity (DPPH), vitamin E and peroxide contents revealed that yield, vitamin E, efficient concentration (EC50), and Peroxide value (PV) varied significantly among the obtained bilberry seed oils, whereas the fatty acid compositions were similar. The oil extracted at 20 MPa and 60 degrees C had the best recovery of vitamin E and the lowest EC50 and PV. The high levels of vitamin E and polyunsaturated fatty acids, as well as the low omega 6/omega 3 ratios (< 1) and the low PVs in all the extracts suggest bilberry seed oil is a valuable source of bioactive compounds and high potential for use of bilberry by-product extracts in added value foods and nutraceutical products.
Keywords:Supercritical CO2 extraction;Bilberry seeds;Antioxidant activity;Vitamin E;Radical scavenging