RT journal article
T1 Technical evaluation of supercritical fluid impregnation scaling-up of olive leaf extract: From lab to pilot scale
A1 Machado,  Noelia Daiana
A1 Verano Naranjo, Lidia
A1 Cejudo Bastante, Cristina
A1 Mantell Serrano, Casimiro
A1 Casas Cardoso, Lourdes
A2 Ingeniería Química y Tecnología de Alimentos
K1 DESI Mass Spectrometry Imaging
K1 Olea europaea L. leaf extract
K1 Polypropylene
K1 Scaling-up
K1 Supercritical fluid impregnation
AB Supercritical fluid technology is an advanced field that offers remarkable versatility and it applies to a broad range of processes. However, the scaling-up of the supercritical fluid impregnation process is still scarcely explored. This research investigates the technical analysis of the supercritical fluid impregnation scaling-up of olive (Olea europaea L.) leaf extract into polypropylene (PP) films. The impregnation scale was increased up to 20-fold while maintaining constant ratios among the extract volume, film area, CO2 amount, and vessel geometry. The study compares homogeneity, total extract loading, and ABTS antioxidant activity of impregnated films at both scales. Homogeneity was assessed using CIELAB coordinates and desorption electrospray ionization mass spectroscopy (DESI-MS) imaging. Films impregnated at 250 bar and 55 °C for 1 h in 100 ml and 500 ml vessels were uniform in colour, whereas those from the larger vessel were less homogeneous. To evaluate the effect of time on impregnation at the largest scale, impregnation was conducted for 1, 6, 24, and 48 h. Homogeneity and ABTS antioxidant activity improved over time, and DESI-MS images showed a gradual decrease in oleuropein signal intensity over time. After 6 h, PP films achieved a total extract loading of 14.02 mg g−1 of polymer, 23 % ABTS antioxidant activity, with a global diffusion coefficient of the extract compounds in PP films of 3.42 × 10−13 m2 s−1. While this study offers valuable insights into scaling up the supercritical fluid impregnation of olive leaf extract into PP films, several limitations remain. Future research is required for a more comprehensive understanding and practical application of the process.
PB Elsevier Ltd
SN 2212-9820
YR 2024
FD 2024
LK http://hdl.handle.net/10498/35743
UL http://hdl.handle.net/10498/35743
LA eng
DS Repositorio Institucional de la Universidad de Cádiz
RD 21-sep-2026