Sustainable grape seed oil processing: Green solvent extraction and byproduct valorisation
Christian Cravotto, Vincent Rapinel, Binh Thanh Nguyen, Raúl Bonet-García, Mickaël Bartier, Ombéline Claux, Laurence Jacques, Silvia Tabasso, Enrique Barrajón‐Catalán, Anne-Sylvie Fabiano-Tixier
Abstract
The extraction of grape seed oil (GSO) for food and cosmetic applications was performed with 2-methyloxolane (2-MeOx) as a green solvent. The oil extraction yield, the tocopherol and tocotrienol content, the fatty acid and polyphenol profiles of the oils were analysed and compared with hexane. The entire extraction process with 2-MeOx, including the oil chemical refining, was further investigated on a pilot scale (15-litre extractor). Oil refining had a negative effect on the micronutrient content. The content of sterols, tocols and polyphenols was reduced by 19.78%, 47.6% and 99% respectively. High amounts of polyphenols were recovered in by-products during oil refining, such as gums and soap-stock, approximately 80% and 10% of the polyphenols originally present in the crude oil, respectively. The polyphenols contained in the crude oil and gums demonstrated effective intracellular ROS inhibition in HaCaT keratinocytes and BJ fibroblasts, as well as an anti-melanogenic effect on B16-F10 murine melanoma cells. Consequently, these products are proposed as valuable cosmetic ingredients for treating hyperpigmentation disorders. In conclusion, 2-MeOx is an excellent alternative to hexane for GSO extraction, offering high extraction efficiency, a safer toxicological profile, and the production of oil and byproducts with promising food and cosmetic applications. • 2-Methyloxolane enables high recovery of bioactive compounds, including polyphenols • The pilot-scale extraction process showed an 86.3% oil yield compared to hexane • Polyphenols recovered in refining by-products offer potential for cosmetic applications • 2-Methyloxolane oil and byproducts show strong antioxidant and anti-melanogenic activity