BOLZANO - The residue from the processing of the apple for food use is around 20%. Researchers from the Food Technology Lab at the NOI Techpark in Bolzano have experimented with a new method for valorising seeds. Thanks to the extraction with supercritical CO₂ - therefore without the use of chemical solvents - they have obtained a totally natural aromatic oil that can be exploited both in the food and beauty industries.
"It is already possible to buy oil extracted from apple seeds, which is used for cosmetic uses", explains Giovanna Ferrentino, researcher and professor of "Unit Operations" at the Faculty of Science and Technology unibz, "what differentiates our research is the use of clean technology that does not use solvents ". The extraction with supercritical carbon dioxide brings an additional advantage, since the oil obtained is of higher quality: amygdalin, a toxic cyanide-based compound, present in low quantities in the oil extracted with solvents, is completely absent . Once collected from the extractor, apple seed oil is a finished product, with an almond scent, which can be used as an additive in food processing but not only. In addition, the oil has obvious nutraceutical characteristics as it contains abundant antioxidants such as tocopherols. How does the process that gives rise to the oil take place? Apple seeds are first dried at 40 ° for up to 12 hours and then ground. Then, the powder is inserted into the extractor cylinder from which, after about thirty minutes, the oil is obtained. The yield is about 21%: about 400 grams of seeds can be obtained about 80 grams of oil.
From apple seeds to green oil and for food and cosmetic uses
2020-07-09T18:04:37.715Z
The residue from apple processing for food use is around 20%. Researchers from the Food Technology Lab at the NOI Techpark in Bolzano have experimented with a new method for valorising seeds. (HANDLE)