BioMatNet Item: FAIR-CT95-1075 - Ultrahydrophytosqualene: New Processes for the Generation of Squalene by Supercritical Fluid Extraction from Waste of Olive Oil Production and Hydrogenation of Squalene

FAIR-CT95-1075
Ultrahydrophytosqualene: New Processes for the Generation of Squalene by Supercritical Fluid Extraction from Waste of Olive Oil Production and Hydrogenation of Squalene

Contacts
Further Information

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Economics : Enviromental Aspects : FAIR Area 2.1 - Chemical and Physical Processes : Pharmaceuticals/Cosmetics : Process Engineering : Separation/Fractionation : Vegetable Oil/Fat

	Type of Project	Shared Cost
	Contract No	FAIR-CT95-1075
	Total Cost	1,694,964 ECU
	EC Contribution	1,100,000 ECU
	Start Date	01/09/1996
	Duration	36 Months

New process for the generation of squalene/squalane with supercritical fluid extraction from waste of olive oil production and hydrogenation to squalane

Objectives

Squalene and squalane are high value, biological raw materials and are required in large quantities in the health food and pharmaceutical industries. The objective of this project is to replace the traditional shark liver oil based production of squalene and squalane by a new process and a new prototype technology to produce them from the worthless residues of olive-oil production. Currently, squalene is obtained from shark liver oil, especially from the livers of rare species of deep-sea sharks. After saponification and extraction with organic solvents resp., 99 % pure squalene can be obtained. Squalane is produced by hydrogenating squalene.

Technical Approach

Squalene is found in high concentrations in olive-oil residues after the last production step (deodorisation) and is regarded as a waste product of the refineries. The quality of the cold pressed olive oil (virgin oil) and also the quality of the olive oil obtained by extraction would not be affected by the proposed process. Existing attempts, to obtain squalene from olive-oil residues by distillation methods have not resulted in producing pure squalene in economically viable quantities.

Starting material for squalene enrichment would be the waste left from the olive-oil industry. The objective of this project is the implementation of the supercritical fluid extraction to obtain a nearly pure squalene and to hydrogenate squalene to squalane.

An existing extraction plant shall be extended to include a prototype plant for the economic production of squalene and squalane from the olive-oil residues.

Expected Results

I. Direct Results

Enrichment of squalene from liquid olive oil residues by supercritical CO₂-extraction with a packed counter current extraction column
Enrichment of squalene from solid saponified olive oil residues by supercritical CO₂-extraction with an extraction plant for solid extraction
Hydrogenation of phyto-squalene to phyto-squalane

II. Indirect Results

Improvement of extraction process with a packed counter current extraction column
Improvement of extraction process with an extraction plant for solid extraction
Development of hydrogenation process and hydrogenation apparatus
Improvement and development of analytical methods for development and production control
Characterisation of squalene enriched phyto-products

Applications

For those EU countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea, a process for the squalene resp. squalane enrichment from olive-oil residues could be of far reaching economical importance. All olive-oil residues are considered as waste products and have to be disposed of. The subsequent environmental friendly treatment of these residues for the production of squalene and squalane could create a new economy field and new jobs in these countries. SMEs and research organisations from Germany, Italy and Portugal will carry out the project. Transfer of this technology is also planned for Greece and Spain.

	Combined laboratory plant with column and extractor for the extraction of liquids and solid substances in one unit (MULLER EXTRACTION COMPANY).Liquids may be injected and withdrawn at each of the intermediate segments.
	Partial view of a column.
	Intermediate segment of a column.
	1 litre laboratory plant for the extraction of supercritical and sub-critical gases with level indicator in separator.

Contacts

Coordinator

Peter SWIDERSKY / Muller Extract Company GmbH & Co KG GERMANY

Participant