Optimization of supercritical fluid extraction of linseed oil using RSM

The objective of the present study was to develop a supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) method, suitable for extraction of total oil content from linseed, and to be used as a preparative technique for fatty acid determination. Optimum conditions (volume of added ethanol as a co‐solvent, dynamic extraction time (DET), and pressure) were predicted in order to obtain the maximum yield of the extract. Response surface methodology (RSM) and central composite rotatable design (CCRD) were used for modeling the process. Variable values ranged as follows: co‐solvent 0–1 mL, DET 36–60 min, and pressure 45.57–62.05 MPa (6000–9000 psi). Effects of co‐solvent volume and extraction pressure were well described by simplified polynomial equation (R² = 0.85), since DET had no significant influence (p>0.05) on the extract yield. The maximum yield of oil, calculated from experimental results, was obtained with 1 mL of co‐solvent, and pressure of 62.05 MPa. Optimized conditions were used for extraction of oil from four samples of linseed, ground to pass through 1, 2, 3, and 4 mm‐sieve, to determine adequate granulation for SFE. Finally, results for yield and fatty acid composition of the extract obtained using SFE were compared with the results of Soxhlet extraction. Practical applications: The obtained extracts can be used for fatty acid analysis, since they have not been damaged and their fatty acid compositions have not been degraded by reagents or aggressive extraction conditions. It is shown that the selection of appropriate milling equipment for grinding of samples is necessary to achieve adequate granulation and avoid fractionation of sample.