Supercritical extraction of bilberry (Vaccinum myrtillus L.) seed oil: Fatty acid composition and antioxidant actvitiy

Journal article, 2018

Bilberry seed oils extracted with supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO2) for 80 min at 20, 35, and 50 MPa and at 40°, 50° and 60 °C were evaluated to compare the yield, composition, and antioxidant recovery. Analyses of fatty acids, free radical scavenging activity (DPPH), vitamin E and peroxide contents revealed that yield, vitamin E, efficient concentration (EC50), and Peroxide value (PV) varied significantly among the obtained bilberry seed oils, whereas the fatty acid compositions were similar. The oil extracted at 20 MPa and 60 °C had the best recovery of vitamin E and the lowest EC50 and PV. The high levels of vitamin E and polyunsaturated fatty acids, as well as the low ω6/ω3 ratios (<1) and the low PVs in all the extracts suggest bilberry seed oil is a valuable source of bioactive compounds and high potential for use of bilberry by-product extracts in added value foods and nutraceutical products.