I.A Discussion of the Properties of Hawthorn Seed Oil
Fatty acids: Hawthorn seed oil is characterized by its high content of polyunsaturated fatty acids, including linoleic acid and α-linolenic acid, as well as other essential fatty acids. These fatty acids have been demonstrated to have health benefits, including the reduction of blood lipids and the prevention of cardiovascular diseases.
In addition, hawthorn seed oil is notable for its high content of fat-soluble vitamins, including vitamin E and vitamin A. These vitamins have been shown to possess antioxidant properties, to support visual health, and to enhance skin health.
Beyond fatty acids and vitamins, hawthorn seed oil contains additional chemical components, including flavonoids and phenolic acids, which also possess pharmacological and healthcare benefits.
II.Extraction Method
The supercritical CO2 extraction method involves the utilization of supercritical CO2 fluid as the extractant. Through the precise modulation of parameters such as pressure and temperature, the oil present within hawthorn seeds is extracted.The oil and fat obtained from the extraction were analyzed by HPLC to separate and identify the chemical components.Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis was carried out on hawthorn seed oil to determine the molecular weight and structure of each chemical component.
The oil obtained from the extraction process was then subjected to a series of washings with anhydrous ether, petroleum ether, and other organic solvents. These washings were intended to remove any impurities and ensure the extraction of pure hawthorn seed oil. To ascertain the composition of the treated hawthorn seed oil, high performance liquid chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry were employed. This analysis yielded the content and composition ratio of each chemical component.
III.Extracted results
The present study investigates the impact of extraction pressure on the extraction process. The extraction rate exhibited a marked increase at an extraction pressure of 20 MPa; however, it underwent a gradual decrease with increasing pressure. This suggests that within a specific pressure range, the extraction effect will increase with rising pressure. However, once surpassed a certain pressure threshold, the extraction rate will decrease.
The effect of extraction temperature on the extraction effect was also examined. The results showed that the extraction effect was optimal at an extraction temperature of 40°C. As the temperature rises, the extraction rate undergoes a gradual increase. This finding suggests that within a specific temperature range, the extraction effect is likely to improve with rising temperature.
The effect of the number of cycles on the extraction effect is illustrated in Figure 2. As the number of cycles increases, the extraction rate gradually increases. The optimal extraction outcome was attained when the number of cycles reached three times. This finding suggests that augmenting the number of cycles can enhance the extraction effect.
In supercritical CO2 extraction experiments, the selection of extraction pressure and temperature exerts a significant influence on the extraction effect. Within a defined pressure and temperature range, an increase in either parameter has been observed to enhance the extraction process. However, beyond a certain range, the extraction rate exhibits a decline. This phenomenon can be attributed to the deleterious effects of excessive pressure and temperature on the integrity of the cell structure and the decomposition of target components. As the number of cycles increases, the extraction rate gradually rises. This observation indicates that increasing the number of cycles can promote the dissolution and diffusion of the target components, thereby enhancing the extraction effect.
A comparative analysis of diverse extraction processes reveals that supercritical CO2 extraction of hawthorn seed oil yields a superior extraction effect and higher extraction rate. In comparison with conventional solvent-based methodologies, supercritical CO2 extraction exhibited superior performance.
