Extraction of b-carotenes from palm oil mesocarp using sub-critical R134a

0308-8146/$ see front matter 2010 Elsevier Ltd. A doi:10.1016/j.foodchem.2010.08.042 ⇑ Corresponding author. Tel.: +60 7 5535609; fax: + E-mail address: [email protected] (Z.A. Manan) Sub-critical extraction of palm oil from palm mesocarp using R134a solvent was conducted via the dynamic mode to investigate the ability of R134a to extract b-carotene. The yield of palm oil and the solubility of b-carotene were investigated at 40, 60 and 80 C and pressure range from 45–100 bar. The extracted oil was analysed for b-carotene content using UV–Vis spectrophotometry. The results showed that palm oil yield increased with pressure and temperature. The maximum solubility of b-carotene was obtained at 100 bar and 60 C while the lowest solubility occurred at 80 bar and 40 C. The higher concentration of extracted b-carotene ranging from 330–780 ppm as compared to that achieved through conventional palm oil processing indicates that extraction of b-carotene using R134a is viable. 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.