Supercritical extraction and supercritical antisolvent fractionation of natural products from plant material: comparative results on Persea indica

Supercritical fluids (SCFs) are alternative solvents in the field of Green Chemistry that are being developed as advanced separation techniques due to their combined properties such as the penetrability of a gas and the solvent power of a liquid. These characteristics are used in the supercritical fluid extraction (SFE), where compounds of interest can be extracted after mixing a SCF as a solvent with a matrix in a pressurized vessel. Supercritical antisolvent fractionation (SAF) uses the SCF as antisolvent, allowing for the precipitation of insoluble compounds in the SCF-organic solution mixture. An updated overview of SFE and SAF of natural products is presented in this article. Additionally we compare the results of SFE, SAF and organic soxhlet extraction (OSE) of Persea indica, a Macaronesian paleoendemism with strong insecticidal components. The composition of the extracts was analyzed by HPLC-MS, showing in the SFE extracts as major components ryanodol, cinnzeylanol and alkyl-γ-lactones, with their abundance varying with the extraction conditions. On the other hand, the SAF allowed for the fractionation of a liquid solution to give a ryanodol enriched extract (31 % more ryanodol than the initial ethanolic solution). The antifeedant and postingestive effects of these extracts on Spodoptera littoralis showed that the SAF extracts were the most active followed by SFE and OSE and their different effects can be partially explained by their composition.     

Nanostructured microspheres produced by supercritical fluid extraction of emulsions

The system poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid/ piroxicam (PLGA/PX) was selected, as a model system, to evaluate the effectiveness of supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO(2)) extraction of the oily phase (ethyl acetate) from oil-in-water emulsions used in the production of polymer/drug microspheres for sustained drug release applications. The influence of process parameters like operating pressure and temperature, flow rate and contacting time between the emulsion and SC-CO(2) was studied with respect to the microsphere size, distribution and solvent residue. Different polymer concentrations in the oily phase were also tested in emulsions formulation to monitor their effects on droplets and microspheres size distribution at fixed mixing conditions. Spherical PLGA microspheres loaded with PX (10% w/w) with mean sizes ranging between 1 and 3 microm and very narrow size distributions were obtained due to the short supercritical processing time (30 min) that prevents the aggregation phenomena typically occurring during conventional solvent evaporation process. A solvent residue smaller than 40 ppm was also obtained at optimized operating conditions. DSC and SEM-EDX analyses confirmed that the produced microparticles are formed by a solid solution of PLGA and PX and that the drug is entrapped in an amorphous state into the polymeric matrix with an encapsulation efficiency in the range of 90-95%. Drug release rate studies showed very uniform drug concentration profiles, without any burst effect, confirming a good dispersion of the drug into the polymer particles.     

Biocatalytic synthesis of acrylates in organic solvents and supercritical fluids: I. optimization of enzyme environment

Biocatalytic transesterification of methylmethacrylate is possible in many different solvents. The reaction rate is readily controlled by variation in solvent physical properties. The reaction proceeds better in hydrophobic solvents, and activity can be restored in hydrophilic solvents by the addition of water. We have now demonstrated that supercritical carbon dioxide is not a good solvent for the reaction between 2-ethlhexanol and methylmethacrylate. It apperars that the supercritical carbon dioxide may either alter the pH of the microaqueous environment associated with the protein or reversibly form covalent complexes with free amine groups on the surface of the enzyme. Although supercritical carbon dioxide is a poor solvent for acrylate transesterification, many other supercritical fluids (ethane, ethylene, sulfur hexafluoride, and fluoroform) are better than most conventional solvents. In supercritical ethane it is possible to control the activity of the enzyme by changing pressure, and the enzyme appears to follow Michaelis-Menten Kinetics. We find that sulfur hexafluoride, the first anhydrous inorganic solvent in which biocatalytic activity has been reported, is a better solvent than any conventional or supercritical organic fluid tested.     

pH-Controlled Bacillus thuringiensis Cry1Ac Protoxin Loading and Release from Polyelectrolyte Microcapsules

Crystal proteins synthesized by Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) have been used as biopesticides because of their toxicity to the insect larval hosts. To protect the proteins from environmental stress to extend their activity, we have developed a new microcapsule formulation. Poly (acrylic acid) (PAH) and poly (styrene sulfonate) (PSS) were fabricated through layer-by-layer self-assembly based on a CaCO₃ core. Cry1Ac protoxins were loaded into microcapsules through layer-by-layer self-assembly at low pH, and the encapsulated product was stored in water at 4°C. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to observe the morphology of the capsules. To confirm the successful encapsulation, the loading results were observed with a confocal laser scattering microscope (CLSM), using fluorescein-labeled Cry1Ac protoxin (FITC-Cry1Ac). The protoxins were released from the capsule under the alkaline condition corresponding to the midgut of certain insects, a condition which seldom exists elsewhere in the environment. The following bioassay experiment demonstrated that the microcapsules with Cry1Ac protoxins displayed approximately equivalent insecticidal activity to the Asian corn borer compared with free Cry1Ac protoxins, and empty capsules proved to have no effect on insects. Further result also indicated that the formulation could keep stable under the condition of heat and desiccation. These results suggest that this formulation provides a promising methodology that protects protoxins from the environment and releases them specifically in the target insects’ midgut, which has shown potential as biopesticide in the field.     

乳化溶剂挥发法制备纳米粒

目的：建立乳化溶剂挥发法制备纳米粒的方法。方法：采用单因素法和正交设计法考察不同影响因素对乳化溶剂挥发法所制得的纳米粒粒径、包封率和载药量的影响。结果：采用乳化溶剂挥发法,通过改变处方和工艺因素所制得的纳米粒,外观圆整,大小均匀,粒径可控,包封率多数可达50%以上。结论：优化确立了乳化溶剂挥发法制备纳米粒的处方和工艺,可以制备满足不同要求的纳米粒。     

Role of diffusion in nonaqueous enzymology. 1. Theory.

Using a set of standard equations, we have calculated the role of internal and external mass transfer in limiting the rate of enzyme-catalysed reactions in anhydrous organic solvents and supercritical fluids. We have shown that enzyme particles suspended in anhydrous organic solvents will be subject to increasing diffusional limitation as the enzyme activity and particle size increase. Using particle dimensions, as measured by scanning electron microscopy, we have prepared a series of graphs that will enable investigators to determine whether their combination of particle size and activity will result in internal or external diffusional limitations. We have shown that supercritical fluids can be expected to enhance the activity of enzymes in nonaqueous environments as a result of the high diffusivity of the bulk solvent. The plots also clearly indicate that enzyme particles in supercritical fluids require nearly two orders of magnitude less agitation than those suspended in conventional solvents in order to overcome any external mass transfer limitations.     

Molecular approaches towards development of novel Bacillus thuringiensis biopesticides

Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) has been used for control of lepidopteran, dipteran and coleopteran insects for over three decades. Novel Bt strains harbouring new types of insecticidal genes are being discovered worldwide. Recombinant strains with enhanced toxicity and broadened insecticidal spectrum have been constructed. To increase the field persistence of insecticidal crystal proteins (ICPs), alternative modes of their delivery in Pseudomonas sp. and endophytes have been developed. ICPs have been modified by site-directed mutagenesis to improve their insecticidal efficacy. Higher yields of ICPs have been achieved by use of strong expression promoters and other regulatory elements. Gene-disabling of the sporulation-specific protease has led to yield enhancement of ICPs. Interestingly, Bt toxins have been found to act synergistically with some other pesticidal agents. Optimization of fermentation conditions is an essential requirement for cost-effective commercial production of Bt biopesticides. The environmental impact of deployment of genetically engineered biopesticides has been assessed. Recombinant Bt strains that do not carry any non-Bt DNA, endophytes, encapsulation in killed bacteria (such as Pseudomonas) and asporogenous Bt strains are ecologically safe approaches. Efficient resistance management strategies require judicious use of Bt transgenic plants in conjunction with refugia and Bt biopesticides in an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program. This revised version was published online in November 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Extraction of oil from microalgae for biodiesel production: A review

The rapid increase of CO(2) concentration in the atmosphere combined with depleted supplies of fossil fuels has led to an increased commercial interest in renewable fuels. Due to their high biomass productivity, rapid lipid accumulation, and ability to survive in saline water, microalgae have been identified as promising feedstocks for industrial-scale production of carbon-neutral biodiesel. This study examines the principles involved in lipid extraction from microalgal cells, a crucial downstream processing step in the production of microalgal biodiesel. We analyze the different technological options currently available for laboratory-scale microalgal lipid extraction, with a primary focus on the prospect of organic solvent and supercritical fluid extraction. The study also provides an assessment of recent breakthroughs in this rapidly developing field and reports on the suitability of microalgal lipid compositions for biodiesel conversion.     

A comparison of five lipid extraction solvent systems for lipidomic studies of human LDL

Lipidome profile of fluids and tissues is a growing field as the role of lipids as signaling molecules is increasingly understood, relying on an effective and representative extraction of the lipids present. A number of solvent systems suitable for lipid extraction are commonly in use, though no comprehensive investigation of their effectiveness across multiple lipid classes has been carried out. To address this, human LDL from normolipidemic volunteers was used to evaluate five different solvent extraction protocols [Folch, Bligh and Dyer, acidified Bligh and Dyer, methanol (MeOH)-tert-butyl methyl ether (TBME), and hexane-isopropanol] and the extracted lipids were analyzed by LC-MS in a high-resolution instrument equipped with polarity switching. Overall, more than 350 different lipid species from 19 lipid subclasses were identified. Solvent composition had a small effect on the extraction of predominant lipid classes (triacylglycerides, cholesterol esters, and phosphatidylcholines). In contrast, extraction of less abundant lipids (phosphatidylinositols, lyso-lipids, ceramides, and cholesterol sulfates) was greatly influenced by the solvent system used. Overall, the Folch method was most effective for the extraction of a broad range of lipid classes in LDL, although the hexane-isopropanol method was best for apolar lipids and the MeOH-TBME method was suitable for lactosyl ceramides.     

Lipase Catalysed Esterification at High Pressure

From the comparation of esterification between oleic acid and oleyl alcohol, catalyzed by the Mucor miehei immobilized lipase in a batch stirred tank reactor, in a solvent free system and system where the solvent was supercritical carbon dioxide it is obvious that reaction rates are higher at supercritical conditions than in the solvent free system. To obtain the data on the solubility of substrates and product (oleyl oleate) in supercritical carbon dioxide, fluid phase equilibria measurements in the static equilibrium cell have been done. The results showed that the temperature change between 30 d`C and 50 d`C doesn't affect the solubility of the substances in SC CO₂ very much, but with higher pressure (between 100 and 300 bar) the solubilities of oleic acid, oleyl alcohol and oleyl oleate slightly increase. From the data it is obvious that oleic acid and oleyl alcohol have better solubility in supercritical CO₂ than oleyl oleate and therefore the separation of both substrates from oleyl oleate with supercritical CO₂ is possible-Key words: esterification, supercritical fluids, lipase.     

Use of supercritical fluid extraction in the analysis of pesticides in soil

The applicability of supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) in pesticide residue analysis in soil was investigated by analysing real soil samples from field experiments. Additionally, radiotracer batch experiments were performed to study the release of non-extractable residues. High repeatability, accuracy and high selectivity were the most important advantages of SFE in residue analysis. Extracts with low amounts of coextractants from the soil matrix were achieved, allowing extracts to be pooled and concentrated without further clean up steps. Thus, the limited volume of extraction thimbles of the SFE apparatus used could be compensated and insufficiently high limits of determination could be improved. Although the application of methanol-modified supercritical CO(2) was a time-saving extraction procedure which reduced solvent usage and solvent waste, SFE efficiency proved only competitive to conventional slurry and Soxhlet extraction. No exhaustive release of non-extractable residues was achieved in radiotracer batch experiments.     

Short Compilation of Published Reaction Rate Data for Catalytic Hydrogenations in Supercritical Fluids

In this work, a short compilation is presented on heterogeneously catalyzed hydrogenations carried out in near‐critical fluids. Reactions carried out in supercritical fluids, catalyzed by supported Pd, Ni or Cu, are considered as green processes in view of their negligible impact on the environment. A number of technologies are already available for clean hydrogenations, mostly performed in carbon dioxide as a dense solvent in continuous reactors. However, propane and other lower alkane solvents can perform as well as carbon dioxide but at much lower pressures. We review their behaviors in this paper in terms of observed reaction rates, space velocities, selectivities and apparent kinetic constants. In the case of vegetable oils, data are available on the effect of pressure and reaction conditions on the selectivity toward the preferred cis‐isomer during linoleic hydrogenation.     

超临界CO_2和微波辅助萃取艾叶挥发油工艺的研究

通过超临界CO2萃取均匀设计实验和微波辅助萃取艾叶挥发油的正交实验比较,考察影响提取的主要因素,寻求最佳萃取工艺。超临界CO2萃取最佳工艺条件为:萃取压力16MP,萃取温度31℃,CO2流量20kg/h和时间80min,得率3.75%;微波萃取最佳工艺条件为:辐射功率720w,辐射时间200s,溶剂量400mL,洗涤剂量50mL,得率4.85%。水蒸馏法提取率为1.87%。结果表明超临界CO2和水蒸馏法萃取艾叶挥发油品质最好;微波萃取收率最高,但品质较差。     

Simultaneous measurement of fluoroquinolones in eggs by a combination of supercritical fluid extraction and high pressure liquid chromatography

Simultaneous detection of the fluoroquinolone antibiotics ciprofloxacin, enrofloxacin, ofloxacin, and norfloxacin in eggs by a combination of supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) and high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) was studied. Lipid matrices that have been considered to result in poor extraction and isolation of fluoroquinolones in eggs were removed first by SFE with supercritical CO(2) alone, and then the fluoroquinolones were extracted by SFE with supercritical CO(2) containing 20% (v/v) methanol for HPLC analysis. A time-course study of the extraction of lipid matrices of eggs suggested that the SFE method successfully removed the matrices within 20 min. When the fluoroquinolones added to control eggs were extracted by SFE, the extraction efficiency was similar to that by the solvent extraction method, giving the recovery percentages from 83 to 96% in a 40 min-extraction time. The fluoroquinolones extracted from eggs by SFE were analyzed simultaneously by HPLC equipped with a fluorescence detector with detection sensitivity at about 10 ppb for the detection limit. The standard calibration profiles of fluoroquinolones showed linear responses to HPLC, showing more than 0.995 for the mean r(2) value. This is the first report of the simultaneous measurement of fluoroquinolones in eggs by a combination of SFE and HPLC. Using the SFE method allowed us to avoid extensive sample preparation such as solvent extraction and chromatographic cleanup that are basically required in extraction of fluoroquinolones.     

Have biopesticides come of age?

Biopesticides based on living microbes and their bioactive compounds have been researched and promoted as replacements for synthetic pesticides for many years. However, lack of efficacy, inconsistent field performance and high cost have generally relegated them to niche products. Recently, technological advances and major changes in the external environment have positively altered the outlook for biopesticides. Significant increases in market penetration have been made, but biopesticides still only make up a small percentage of pest control products. Progress in the areas of activity spectra, delivery options, persistence of effect and implementation have contributed to the increasing use of biopesticides, but technologies that are truly transformational and result in significant uptake are still lacking.     

Applications of supercritical fluid extraction and chromatography in forensic science

Supercritical fluid technology is a rapidly expanding analytical technique. Here we give a brief insight into the background of supercritical fluid technology and how supercritical fluid extraction and supercritical fluid chromatography work in analysis. The applications of these two techniques in forensic science are known to be important. The main area of forensic use of supercritical fluid technology is in the sample preparation and separation of drugs of abuse particularly opiates, cannabinoids, cocaine and sedatives. Supercritical fluid technology can be used for both time-of-death-related drug analysis and for obtaining information relating to long term drug abuse. We also give a review of the use of supercritical fluids in two other major forensic areas, fingerprinting and the extraction and separation of explosives from both bombing events and gunshot residues. Overall we show that supercritical fluid technology is fast becoming a major part of forensic investigations and that it is an invaluable analysis technique.     

Supercritical fluid extraction of naringin from the peel of Citrus paradisi

The highest yield (14.4 g/kg) of naringin, the major flavonoid from the peel of Citrus paradisi L., that could be achieved by supercritical fluid extraction was obtained using supercritical carbon dioxide modified with 15% ethanol and fresh (rather than dried) peels at 95 bar and 58.6 degrees C. This yield is higher than that attained by the conventional technique of maceration, and close to those obtained by reflux and Soxhlet methods. Furthermore, supercritical fluid extraction consumes less solvent and provides a shorter extraction time than conventional extraction methods.     

超临界CO_2萃取冬虫夏草子座挥发性成分的GC-MS研究

报道冬虫夏草挥发性成分的组成,为其进一步的研究工作奠定基础。采用超临界CO2萃取法从冬虫夏草子座中提取挥发性成分,气相色谱-质谱联用技术对其化学成分进行分析。超临界流体萃取物共鉴定了39种组分,占总馏出组分的86.6%以上,占色谱总馏出峰面积的98.56%以上。已鉴定组分中,含量最高的为油酸,相对含量25.6%;其次为亚油酸,相对含量22.67%;再次为棕榈酸11.86%。超临界CO2萃取法能更真实、全面的反映药材中的化学成分,适合于珍稀中药材相关组分的测定。     

Simultaneous Measurement of Fluoroquinolones in Eggs by a Combination of Supercritical Fluid Extraction and High Pressure Liquid Chromatography

Simultaneous detection of the fluoroquinolone antibiotics ciprofloxacin, enrofloxacin, ofloxacin, and norfloxacin in eggs by a combination of supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) and high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) was studied. Lipid matrices that have been considered to result in poor extraction and isolation of fluoroquinolones in eggs were removed first by SFE with supercritical CO₂ alone, and then the fluoroquinolones were extracted by SFE with supercritical CO₂ containing 20% (v/v) methanol for HPLC analysis. A time-course study of the extraction of lipid matrices of eggs suggested that the SFE method successfully removed the matrices within 20 min. When the fluoroquinolones added to control eggs were extracted by SFE, the extraction efficiency was similar to that by the solvent extraction method, giving the recovery percentages from 83 to 96% in a 40 min-extraction time. The fluoroquinolones extracted from eggs by SFE were analyzed simultaneously by HPLC equipped with a fluorescence detector with detection sensitivity at about 10 ppb for the detection limit. The standard calibration profiles of fluoroquinolones showed linear responses to HPLC, showing more than 0.995 for the mean r ² value. This is the first report of the simultaneous measurement of fluoroquinolones in eggs by a combination of SFE and HPLC. Using the SFE method allowed us to avoid extensive sample preparation such as solvent extraction and chromatographic cleanup that are basically required in extraction of fluoroquinolones.