Journal of Food Processing & Technology

Abstract

Extraction Modelling and Characterization of Bioactive Components from Psoralea corylifolia L. Obtained by Supercritical Carbon Dioxide

Manohar B and Udaya Sankar K

The rapid development of nutraceuticals and functional foods which are more often prepared from the phytochemicals / plant extracts has created a new trend in food processing industries. Among the various plant materials available for extraction of bioactives, the present work focuses on Psoralea corylifolia L ., known commonly as bakuchi. It is widely used in Chinese medicine to treat a variety of diseases and possesses antitumor, antibacterial, cytotoxic and antihelmenthic properties. Thermally sensitive bakuchiol, psoralen and isosporalen, the major components present in the seed possess high biotechnological values. The extraction of bioactives from Psoralea corylifolia seeds was carried out using the high pressure supercritical carbon dioxide (SCCO 2 ) system at pressures 22, 26 and 30 MPa and at temperature of 313 K. Even though yield of extraction by SCCO 2 extraction process was slightly less than the yield by hexane extraction method, bakuchiol concentration in the extract was much higher than the hexane extraction. Experimental extraction data regressed well with diffusion model. LC-MS chromatogram of the extract identified presence of nine primary compounds. The results indicated that the extract having bakuchiol concentration of 51% was possible with SCCO 2 extraction.