Supercritical fluid and pressurized liquid extraction of spent tucumã-do-Amazonas (Astrocaryum aculeatum) almonds

Supercritical fluid (SFE) and pressurized liquid (PLE) extraction were applied to tucumã-do-Amazonas (Astrocaryum aculeatum) almonds (TAA). SFE was performed with CO2 at different pressures and temperatures, and the extracts were characterized for global yield, fatty acid and triacylglycerol profile, carotenoids, tocols concentration and thermal behavior. PLE was applied to the SFE-defatted almond at different temperatures and ethanol:water mixtures. The PLE extracts were characterized for global yield, total phenolics and antioxidant capacity. SFE global yield was 33g extract/100g dry TAA at 25MPa and 40 °C, containing mainly triacylglycerols from lauric and myristic acids. Regarding tocols, SFE at 25MPa and 50 °C resulted in 58µg/g extract. PLE from defatted TAA achieved 24g extract/100g defatted TAA and the greatest phenolic content and antioxidant capacities with 75% ethanol at 110 °C. Therefore, TAA is a potential source of valuable compounds to be extracted by SFE and/or PLE.