Optimization of solvent extraction of spotted pumpkin (lagenaria breviflora) seed oil Solvent extraction optimization

Abstract

^{Spotted pumpkin (Lagenaria breviflora) seed oil was extracted from the seeds in the fruit by using n-hexane as a solvent in an optimization study. This was aimed at operating variables that would give an optimum yield of Lagenaria breviflora seed oil (LbSO) and to study the effect of solvent on the physicochemical properties and composition of LbSO extracted using n-hexane. A central composite design (CCD) response surface methodology (RSM) was used for the optimization study while statistical analysis using analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to test the significance of the variables for the process. The variables considered for this study were temperature (oC), sample weight (g), and extraction time (min.). The physical and chemical properties of the extracted LbSO were determined using standard methods such as the Scanning Electron Micrograph (SEM) and Energy Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence (EDXRF). The RSM analyses results showed that the three variables have a significant effect (p 0.05) on the yield of LbSO, with R2 = 0.9725 and Adj. R2 = 0.9477 which showed a good fitness of a second (quadratic) order model. Based on this model, optimal operating variables investigated for the extraction process were established as temperature 63.92 oC, sample weight 60.14 g and extraction time of 3.39 hrs, which gave a yield of 22.80% LbSO. The Physico-chemical properties of the extracted LbSO showed that it is a suitable raw material for industrial purposes such production of biodiesel, bio-lubricant, soaps, glycerol, detergents, etc. The EDXRF analysis of the LbSO extracted meal revealed the presence of SiO2 (27.23%), K2O (24.11%), CaO (3.46%), and Al2O3 (3.93%) which can be enhanced for the production of heterogeneous catalyst for the production of biodiesel.}