Effects of Solubility of Supercritical-CO2 Solvent and Mass Transfer Property on Extraction of Vitamin E from Canola Seeds

This study is to explore the solubility of the targeted Vitamin E from canola seeds in supercritical-CO2 (SC-CO2)solvent and their intricate relationship through the developed modelling approach. The study investigated the impact of pressure and temperature on the efficiency of Vitamin E extraction through the regulation of Vitamin E solubility and yield in SC-CO2 solvent. These parameters played a crucial role in determining extraction efficiency. Pressures enhanced the solubility and density of Vitamin E, while elevated temperatures facilitated total Vitamin E extraction yield by promoting solvent diffusion and mass transfer through viscosity reduction. The optimal separation process of Vitamin E was achieved at 75ׄ°C, 18MPa. The Vitamin E concentration in extracted oil is 12 times higher than Vitamin E contents in regular canola seed oil. The mathematical modeling revealed fundamental mechanisms governing the extraction process and offers useful information for optimizing extraction protocols in industrial applications.