Supercritical Carbon Dioxide Extraction of Soy Lecithin

Soy lecithin is a mixed phospholipid containing phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylserine, and inositol phospholipids. It is a fundamental component of human cells and has direct effects on the nervous, reproductive, and hormonal systems, making natural functional ingredients highly nutritious and important for regulating blood lipids, improving memory, and delaying aging. Contact Kaiping natural additives supplier for more solutions.

A small amount of soy lecithin is soluble in supercritical carbon dioxide, and soybean oil contains a small amount of lecithin, but most lecithin is insoluble in supercritical carbon dioxide and remains in the "oil residue." However, these phospholipids can be dissolved in alcohol. Therefore, the process of extracting soy lecithin from the "oil residue" is roughly as follows: add a certain proportion of anhydrous alcohol to the liquid carbon dioxide and bring it to a supercritical state. Under appropriate pressure, temperature, and soaking time, let the phosphatidylcholine dissolve completely. After removing the liquid, separate the alcohol and carbon dioxide to obtain soy lecithin.

Similarly, phospholipids can also be extracted from other "oil residues."