Supercritical CO.sub.2 extraction of lipids from lipid-containing materials

• US 4,466,923 A
• Filed: 04/01/1982
• Issued: 08/21/1984
• Est. Priority Date: 04/01/1982
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: The United States of America As Represented By The Secretary of Agriculture
• Original Assignee: United States Department Of Agriculture
• Inventors: Friedrich, John P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Waltz, Thomas A.
• Application Number:
  US06/364,290
• Time in Patent Office: 873 Days
• Field of Search: 260/410.7, 260/412.4, 260/412.8, 260/428.5
• US Class Current: 554/8
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 11/0203 with a supercritical fluid
• CPC Class Codes: C11B 1/104 using super critical gases or vapours
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 20/54 using solvents, e.g. supercritical solvents or ionic liquids

Abstract

In the extraction of lipid-containing substances with supercritical CO₂, triglyceride solubilities of up to 20% or more are obtainable by the simultaneous application of temperatures in excess of about 60° C. and pressures of at least 550 bar.

Claims

1. A method for the extraction of a lipid from a lipid-containing material by means of a carbon dioxide solvent under supercritical conditions, said method comprising:

a. contacting said lipid-containing material with carbon dioxide at a pressure within the range of at least 550 bar and a temperature within the range of about 60°

to 100°

C. in order to dissolve the lipid in the carbon dioxide, whereby the combination of pressure and temperature is sufficient for the solubility of said lipid in said carbon dioxide to be at least about 5% by weight; and

b. separating said carbon dioxide with the dissolved lipid from said material.

2. A method as described in claim 1 wherein said lipid is a vegetable oil and said lipid-containing material is a vegetable seed or vegetable seed component.

3. A method as described in claim 2 wherein said lipid-containing material is an oilseed.

4. A method as described in claim 2 wherein said lipid-containing material is a cereal seed germ.

5. A method as described in claim 1 wherein said lipid is an animal fat and said lipid-containing material is of animal origin.

6. A method as described in claim 1 wherein said pressure is in the range of 700-1200 bar.

7. A method as described in claim 1 wherein said temperature is in the range of 60°

-80°

C.