Comparative study of different extraction processes for hemp (Cannabis sativa) seed oil considering physical, chemical and industrial-scale economic aspects

• Published in: Journal of cleaner production 2019-01, Vol.207, p.645-657
• Main Authors: Devi, Vibha, Khanam, Shabina
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Central composite design; Economic; Extraction; Fatty acid; Hemp
• ISSN: 0959-6526; 1879-1786
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2018.10.036

Hemp (Cannabis sativa) seed oil is a rare source of nourishment for vegetarian diets due to the unique ratio of ω-6/ω-3 fatty acid as 3:1. It is beneficial for cardiovascular health, skin, hormonal balance, diabetes, etc. These oil benefits encourage the chemical industries for its intensive extraction to accomplish the quantity and quality of the product. Despite being various processes i.e. supercritical fluid extraction, Soxhlet, percolation, ultrasonication, pyrolysis, pretreatment processes etc., none of above is the best in all aspects. Therefore, the present study investigates different extraction processes for hemp oil and compared its industrial-scale economic assessment, extraction yield, oil compositions and physico-chemical properties. Central composite design was employed to optimize the parameters of supercritical fluid extraction and ultrasonication processes. Quadratic models (P 0.93). The maximum yield of 37.30% was estimated through ultrasonication treated Soxhlet process. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry demonstrated Soxhlet as the best-suited process while offering the optimum ω-6/ω-3 ratio. Further, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry of hemp bio-oil obtained through pyrolysis identified the volatile and flammable materials to assure its suitability as bio-fuel. Economic analyses for different processes revealed supercritical fluid extraction as the most beneficial followed by Soxhlet, ultrasonication, ultrasonication treated Soxhlet and Soxhlet treated ultrasonication. •Different processes were compared for the extraction of hemp oil.•SFE, Soxhlet, percolation, sonication, pyrolysis & treated processes were compared.•Comparisons were conducted in terms of physical, chemical & economic aspects.•Central composite design was used to optimize the SFE & sonication parameters.•SFE were observed as economical process followed by Soxhlet.