Supercritical fluid extraction was used to extract the alkaloid N-[7-(3′,4′-methylenedioxyphenyl)-2(Z),4(Z)-heptadienoyl]pyrrolidine from leaves of Piper amalago L. A three-level orthogonal array design matrix, OAD OA9(34), was used for optimization of the parameters of supercritical extraction of the alkaloid, employing supercritical carbon dioxide: extraction time (20, 40, and 60 min), temperature (40, 50, and 60°C), pressure (150, 200, and 250 bar), and the use of cosolvents (ethanol, methanol, and propyleneglycol). All parameters had significant effect on the alkaloid yield. The alkaloid yield after 60 min of extraction without cosolvents at 9 different conditions (32) in terms of temperature (40, 50, and 60°C) and pressure (150, 200, and 250 bar) was also evaluated. The optimal yield (≈3.8 mg g−1) was obtained with supercritical CO2 + methanol (5% v : v) at 40°C and 200 bar for 60 min of extraction.

This work aims to remove the oil from passion fruit seeds using ethanol as solvent and then to carry out the transesterification of the product from the extraction step (oil + ethanol). The effects of operational variables in the ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) were evaluated and traditional extraction was performed for comparison. The extraction product was directed to the reaction step using an enzymatic catalyst. UAE provided oil yield from 12.32 to 21.76%, and the maximum value (73.7% of the traditional extraction yield) was obtained at 60 °C and 50 min using a solvent-to-seed ratio of 4. Oil removal was favored by increases in the investigated variables. g-tocopherol, δ-tocopherol and a high concentration of polyunsaturated fatty acids were identified in the oils. The oil obtained by UAE presented higher phytosterol contents. From the reaction step, samples were obtained with higher concentrations of ethyl esters, in addition to emulsifiers (diglycerides and monoglycerides).

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