Speaker
Description
Date seeds, which constitute 10-15% of the fruit's weight, are often discarded, representing a missed opportunity for economic and nutritional benefits. This study explores the extraction of biocompounds from date seed residue using hydrophobic Natural Deep Eutectic Solvents (NADES), which are environmentally friendly alternatives to traditional solvents. The primary objective was to determine the fat content in date seed residue following a heating-stirring (HS) extraction process. Optimal extraction conditions were established using response surface methodology, involving a solid-to-liquid ratio of 1/3 (w/v) for 45 minutes at 45 ºC. After centrifugation, the supernatant and pellet were separated, with the pellet washed to eliminate residual solvents. The total fat content was quantified using the Soxhlet method. Three different hydrophobic NADES were tested: Menthol:Lactic acid (1:2), Caprylic acid:Lauric acid (3:1), and Caprylic acid:L-Proline (2:0.5), with hexane as a control. Results indicated that the date seed residue retained significant fat content post-extraction, with 60% remaining after using Caprylic acid:L-Proline, compared to 34% and 31% for Menthol:Lactic acid and Caprylic acid:Lauric acid, respectively. Hexane yielded 42%. Further research is needed to optimize the balance between biocompound extraction and fat retention in the pellet.
| Presenting author | Anna Ferrandis Rosell |
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