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ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #136719
Title: PURIFICATION OF A SOYBEAN OIL BASED SUNSCREEN USING CARBON DIOXIDE

Author
item Taylor, Scott
item Eller, Fred
item Compton, David - Dave
item Laszlo, Joseph

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/14/2003
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Ultraviolet (UV)-absorbing lipids were synthesized by a lipase-catalyzed transesterification of ethyl ferulate with soybean oil in a continuous-flow reactor. The UV-absorbing lipids produced are ferulyl mono- and diacylglycerols (FMG, FDG, respectively) with concomitant production of the fatty acid ethyl esters (FAEE). These UV-absorbing lipids could then be used as active ingredients in sunscreen formulations. Supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO2) and liquid carbon dioxide (L-CO2) were evaluated as extraction fluids for reducing the content of the FAEE and ethyl 4-hydroxy-3-methoxy cinnamate (ethyl ferulate), unreacted starting material, from the soy-based sunscreen. The effects of pressure (6.9-20.7 MPa) and temperature (25-60C) were examined to remove these components while minimizing the loss of the UV-absorbing lipids during the purification process. Initial extractions were performed on small amounts (15 mL) of material. Data showed SC-CO2 to be effective at removing FAEE and ethyl ferulate while leaving the UV-absorbing lipids behind; however, mass recoveries were low. Mass recoveries with L-CO2 were up to 4-fold greater than that obtained with SC-CO2, but L-CO2 extracted some of the UV-absorbing lipids, especially at higher pressures. Extraction parameters of 8.3 MPa and 25C were then determined to be optimal for the L-CO2 extraction process. The extraction process was then scaled-up and transferred to a pilot-scale fractionation column. The column was filled with a protruded stainless-steel packing material which provide a large surface area to promote efficient mass transfer between the phases. This process yielded a soy-based sunscreen that contained only trace amounts of FAEE and ethyl ferulate.