Pilot scale, supercritical CO2 extraction of lipids and bioactive compounds from tiger nuts co-products: Green chemistry metrics and life-cycle assessment.

Abstract

Supercritical CO2 (scCO2) extraction of food wastes has emerged in the recent decades as a sustainable approach towards valorization and reduction of environmental footprint. We present for the first time an upcycling of tiger nuts co-products enabled by scCO2 at a pilot level that paves the way for an industrial scale-up. The method demonstrated a great potential, with a noted 77% yield towards a good quality oil rich in oleic acid (71%), linoleic acid (10%), bioactive molecules (tocopherols, 0.114 g/100 g), or minerals (Fe, Mg, P). The post-extraction solid is rich in fibre (50% w/w), suggesting a potential scenario for sustainable food systems. The environmental sustainability of the process was measured by Green Chemistry Metrics (GCPMs) and Life-Cycle Assessment (LCA), which revealed that the production of 1 kg of oil at industrial scale could reach an endpoint single score value of 1 Pt under the ReCiPe methodology.