Optimization of xanthophylls extraction from Marigold extractum with supercritical CO2 by response surface methodology

In this work, xanthophylls were extracted from Marigold using supercritical CO2. A response surface experimental design was used to optimize operating conditions for extraction pressure (22-30 MPa), extraction temperature (50-60 °C), CO2 flow rate (9-15 kg/h). The maximum concentration of xanthophyll in extracts was determined to be 35.8% by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and optimum xanthophylls extraction was obtained at 55C, 26 MPa and 12 kg/h. The optimization results demonstrated that for xanthophylls extraction, all variables (temperature, pressure and CO2 flow rate) were to be the influential variables, with the statistical significant effect p-value was smaller than 0.05.