Integrated extraction-adsorption process for selective recovery of antioxidant phenolics from food industry by-product

Publication date: Available online 19 March 2018 Source:Chemical Engineering and Processing - Process Intensification Author(s): D. Pradal, P. Vauchel, S. Decossin, P. Dhulster, K. Dimitrov This work aimed at proposing a green process for selective recovery of antioxidant polyphenols, in order to propose a sustainable valorisation of chicory grounds, a food-industry by-product. An integrated extraction-adsorption process was performed, enabling simultaneous extraction of phenolics and their purification in a single operation. After selecting the most efficient adsorbent among tested and experimental conditions for adsorption and desorption of antioxidant polyphenols, the integrated process was studied, using a central composite design, considering total polyphenols yield, antioxidant activity and energy consumption of the equipment. Influence of processing time (2, 4 or 6 h), processing flow rate (1, 3 or 5 L.h-1) and resin/chicory grounds ratio (1/10, 2/10 or 3/10, d.w./d.w.) were investigated. A mathematical model for multi-criteria optimisation was proposed. The integrated process enabled to improve polyphenols recovery efficiency by 63 % and to reduce energy consumption by 2.8 times, compared to conventional process, where extraction and adsorption were performed successively. Graphical abstract
Source: Chemical Engineering and Processing: Process Intensification - Category: Chemistry Source Type: research