Determination of the oil content of rapeseed by supercritical fluid extraction

Abstract

Multiple and simultaneous extractions with supercritical fluid carbon dioxide at 340 atm (1 atm ≡ 101.325 kPa) and 90 °C were carried out on ground and dried rapeseed and its by-products from oil processing. The results for oil recovery agree well with values obtained by Soxhlet extraction, and the repeatability of the extraction is typically <6% relative standard deviation. Extractions were also carried out with use of an ‘enhancer’(a moisture adsorbent) blended with a sample of linseed meal (virtually identical to rapeseed meal in oil and moisture content) under the same extraction conditions. Extraction by either method takes only 2 h, which is much more rapid than extraction by Soxhlet, but a drying step is required if enhancer is not used.