SUPERCRITICAL CO2 EXTRACTION OF SEA BUCKTHORN

Sea buckthorn is one of the most prominent plants containing important nutrients essential for our health. Bioactive compounds are found in the pulp and in the seeds of the fruit. Sea buckthorn oil can be used in food supplementation, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industry. In this study supercritical CO2 extraction of oil from sea buckthorn berries was performed at pressure 300 bar, temperature 40 °C and CO2 flow rate 2 kg/h. Fatty acid composition of oil was determined by gas chromatography, and amount of tocopherols using HPLC. In defatted cake after supercritical extraction the amount of remained oil, fibre and protein content were also determined. The initial oil content in sea buckthorn berries was 11.60%. The major fatty acids in oil were palmitic (35%), palmitoleic (20%) and oleic acids (32-35%). The amount of α-tocopherol was 35.99 mg/100g oil, and total tocopherol amount was 71.62 mg/100g oil. In defatted cake cellulose content was determined to be 11.56%, proteins 14.78%, moisture 5.68% and ash 3.16%. Because of high content of bioactive compounds and unique oil composition, this oil is connected with benefits on certain diseases. Defatted cake, which is also rich in many components, can be used as by-product in food industry