Extractions of Fixed Oil and Thymoquinone Rich Fractions (TQRF)

Abstract

The present invention reported that SFE is suitable for Nigella sativa seeds oil extraction and fractionation. TQRF that were produced through SFE extractions (600 bars/40° C.) and fractionations (100-200 bars/40-60° C.) possessed high level of TQ and antioxidant activity. SFE fractionation efficiently concentrates the TQ content and antioxidant activity of Nigella sativa seeds oil in short time and low cost manners without using any hazardous organic solvents.

1 . A supercritical fluid extraction process for extracting a fixed oil from  Nigella sativa  seeds, the process comprising the step of extracting crude oil from  Nigella sativa  seeds at a pressure of between 300 to 600 bars and at temperature of between 31 to 80° C. 
     
     
         2 . The process as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the process comprises a carbon dioxide feed of between 25 to 30 g/min. 
     
     
         3 . The process as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the process is conducted for a period of between 2 to 3 hours. 
     
     
         4 . The process as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the supercritical fluid is supercritical carbon dioxide. 
     
     
         5 . The process as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the process is conducted with a sample size of 100 g of cleaned, dried and ground  Nigella sativa  seeds. 
     
     
         6 . The process as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the exhaustive extraction of TQ occurs in the first hour of extraction. 
     
     
         7 - 25 . (canceled)