Subcritical water extraction of antioxidant compounds from canola meal

Antioxidant compounds were extracted from canola meal by subcritical water extraction (SWE), hot water (80°C) extraction and ethanolic (95%) extraction. The highest extract yields were obtained with SWE at 160°C, and the lowest with ethanolic extraction (SWE 160°C > SWE sequential > SWE 135°C > SWE 110°C = hot water extraction > ethanolic extraction). Ethanolic extracts exhibited the highest total phenolics contents and Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) values on a per gram of extract basis, and hot water extracts, the lowest (ethanolic extraction > SWE 110°C > SWE 160°C > hot water extraction). Extraction pressure (3.44-6.89 MPa) had no effect on the yields, total phenolics contents or TEAC values of extracts from SWE. The use of buffered water (pH 2-8) for SWE increased extract yield but had adverse effects on the total phenolics contents and TEAC values of extracts. No increase in efficacy of SWE at 110 or 160°C was observed at extraction times longer than 25-30 min. The total phenolics contents and antioxidant capacities of extracts were assessed by the total phenolics assay, the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH•) scavenging method, TEAC method, the β-carotene-linoleic acid (linoleate) model system, the reducing power assay and the stripped oil model system. Ethanolic extracts exhibited the highest total phenolic contents and antioxidant capacities on a per gram of extract basis. Subcritical water extraction at 160°C exhibited the highest total phenolic contents and antioxidant capacities on a per gram of meal basis. Results from the total phenolics assay and the antioxidant capacity assays were significantly correlated, with the exception of those from the stripped oil model system