Supercritical SC-CO2and Soxhletn-Hexane Extract of TunisianOpuntia ficus indicaSeeds and Fatty Acids Analysis
The fatty acids profiles of TunisianOpuntia ficus indicaseeds (spiny and thornless form) were investigated. Results of supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO2) and soxhletn-hexane extract were compared. Quantitatively, the better yield was obtained through soxhletn-hexane: 10.32% (spiny) and 8.91% (thornless) against 3.4% (spiny) and 1.94% (thornless) by SC-CO2extract (T = 40°C,P=180bar, time = 135 mn, CO2flow rate = 15 mL·s−1). Qualitatively, the main fatty acids components were the same for the two types of extraction. Linoleic acid was the major compound, SC-CO2: 57.60% (spiny), 59.98% (thornless), soxhletn-hexane: 57.54% (spiny), 60.66% (thornless), followed by oleic acid, SC-CO2: 22.31% (spiny), 22.40% (thornless), soxhletn-hexane: 25.28% (spiny), 20.58% (thornless) and palmitic acid, SC-CO2: 14.3% (spiny), 12.92% (thornless), soxhletn-hexane: 11.33% (spiny), 13.08% (thornless). The SC-CO2profiles fatty acids showed a richness with other minority compounds such as C20:1, C20:2, and C22.The seeds oil was highly unsaturated (US = 4.44–5.25), and the rising temperatures donot affect the selectivity of fatty acids extract by SC-CO2: US = 4.44 (T = 40°C) and 4.13 (T = 70°C).