Extraction of saponin from Gac (Momordica cochinchinensis Spreng) seed kernels using subcritical dimethyl ether compared with conventional organic solvents.

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to determine solvent system for enhance the saponins recovery from gac (Momordica cochinchinesis Spreng) seed kernels, the waste product from food industry. The preliminary results of analysis of gac seed sample and solubility approximation of target solutes in selected solvents were determined. Hansen solubility parameters (HSPs) and spheres were evaluated and used as a guideline for solvent selection. The prediction results revealed that single solvent system of methanol, ethanol, propanol, n-butanol hexane and dimethyl ether (DME) might recover saponins only one part of matrix or oil body of gac seed kernel which related to the experimental recovery results. The predictions suggested that co-solvent of DME with 10 to 15 %wt of methanol, 10 to 25% wt of ethanol, and 10 to 35% wt of n-butanol were potential systems for recovery saponins from both parts of matrix and oil body. The experimental results showed that ethanol and n-butanol at 25% wt gave 64.6% and 72.35% of saponins recovery, respectively and the highest saponin recovery was 87.27% by using 75% wt DME with 25% wt butanol as a co-solvent extraction to 120 minutes.

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