Optimization of a Fractionation Process of Sunflower Lecithin using Response Surface Methodology (RSM)

Abstract

Food industry uses lecithins due to their rol as a multifunctional ingredient. Modification process of the original phospholipid composition of native lecithin such as fractionation is desirable for certain applications. The effect of the processing conditions (temperature 35-65o C, incubation time 30-90 min), solvent/lecithin ratio 2:1, 3:1, ethanol:water mixtures (90:10, 96:4, 100:0) and the optimization of the extraction of PC and PI enriched fractions of sunflower lecithin (a non GMO product) were studied. Parameters like yield % and the phospholipid composition of the enriched PC and PI fractions were determined and the percent extraction coefficients (EPC, EPE and EPI) in both enriched fractions were calculated. EPC values corresponding to enriched PC fractions ranged from 6.5 (35o C, 30 min, 2:1, 90:10) to 57.7 (65o C, 90 min, 3:1, 100:0). A significant increase of this coefficient (p < 0.05) was observed at high levels of temperature and incubation time assayed while the high water content in the ethanolic mixture recorded a considerable diminution in phosphatidylcholine extraction. EPI (< 3%) values are related to the high insolubility of phosphatidylinositol in all enriched PC fractions. An opposite behaviour was obtained for the enriched PI fraction. Statistical analysis and response surface methodology evidenced the influence of the different variables on the extraction of PC and PI enriched fractions at laboratory scale. RSM was a good tool for monitoring the evolution of the fractionation process of sunflower lecithin.