Modeling of extraction of β-carotene from apricot bagasse using supercritical CO2 in packed bed extractor

This work investigates the modeling of beta-carotene extraction from industrial waste product of apricot bagasse at the production of fruit juice. Shrinking core model was selected as the best mathematical model, which characterize the extraction process, after take into consideration of mass transfer mechanisms such as adsorption, diffusion, solubility, and desorption. Effect of main separation parameters such as pressure, temperature, CO2 flow rate, and particle size on the extraction yields were researched at the supercritical fluid extraction system of laboratory scale and the results were compared with the results obtained from the solution of mathematical model. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.