Extraction of beta carotene from palm mesocarp via green sub-critical carbon dioxide

Experiments involving subcritical carbon dioxide extraction of palm oil from treated palm mesocarp were done to determine palm oil yield and concentration of beta-carotene. as comparison,the conventional method of soxhlet extraction with six different solvents was used. the overall oil yield was measured as weight of oil per weight of sample,while anti-oxidant activity was determined using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryihydrazyl (dpph) radical scavenging method. the sub-critical extraction was conducted at a constant temperature of 30˚c and four different pressures at 10 mpa,15 mpa,20 mpa and 25 mpa. the sub-critical extraction produced high concentration of beta-carotene than soxhlet extraction,even though the oil yield was lower. furthermore,the anti-oxidant analysis showed a similar trend as the concentration of beta carotene. the best condition of sub-critical extraction was obtained at 25 mpa and 30˚c. © 2015 penerbit utm press. all rights reserved.