A two-step nanofiltration process for the production of phenolic-rich fractions from artichoke aqueous extracts.
Commercial nanofiltration (NF) membranes in spiral-wound configuration (NP030 from Microdyn Nadir and Desal DK from GE Water &amp; Process Technologies) were used in a sequential design in order to produce a separated fraction of phenolic and sugar compounds from an aqueous artichoke extract. For both membranes, the effect of transmembrane pressure (TMP) on the permeation flux was evaluated. In optimized conditions of TMP, the NP030 membrane exhibited high rejections of apigenin, cynarin and chlorogenic acid (higher than 85%); on the other hand, very low rejections of fructose, glucose and sucrose (lower than 4%) were measured. Starting from an extract with a total antioxidant activity (TAA) of 5.28 mM trolox a retentate fraction with a TAA of 47.75 mM trolox was obtained. The NF permeate from the NP030 membrane was processed with the Desal DK membrane in optimized conditions of TMP producing a permeate stream free of phenolic and sugar compounds. Accordingly, as most part of phenolic compounds was removed in the first NF step, the concentration of sugar compounds in the NF retentate had much higher results than that of phenolic compounds.
Institute on Membrane Technology, ITM-CNR, c/o University of Calabria, via Pietro Bucci, 17/C, 87036 Rende (CS), Italy. a.cassano@itm.cnr.it.
Alfredo
A
Cassano
Institute on Membrane Technology, ITM-CNR, c/o University of Calabria, via Pietro Bucci, 17/C, 87036 Rende (CS), Italy. c.conidi@itm.cnr.it.
Carmela
C
Conidi
Institute on Membrane Technology, ITM-CNR, c/o University of Calabria, via Pietro Bucci, 17/C, 87036 Rende (CS), Italy. r.ruby@itm.cnr.it.
René Ruby
RR
Figueroa
Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Unidad Profesional Interdisciplinaria de Biotecnologia, Av. Acueducto, 5/n, Col. Barrio La Laguna Ticomán, C.P. 07340, Mexico. soruyocm@hotmail.com.
Roberto Castro
RC
Muñoz
D000975:Antioxidants / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D031943:Cynara scolymus / Q000737:chemistry*; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D010636:Phenols / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D012996:Solutions; D014462:Ultrafiltration
D000975:Antioxidants; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D010636:Phenols; D010936:Plant Extracts; D012996:Solutions