Production of Submicroparticles of β-Sitosterol Using an Aerosol Solvent Extraction System

• Published in: Chinese journal of chemical engineering Vol. 16; no. 6; pp. 956 - 960
• Main Author: 于文利 夏菲 金鹤阳 林长春 赵亚平 蒋思源 何琳
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.12.2008
• Subjects: aerosol solvent extraction system; micronization; submicroparticle; supercritical CO 2; β-sitosterol; β-谷甾醇亚微粒; 气溶胶溶剂; 萃取技术; submicroparticle; aerosol solvent extraction system; supercritical CO 2; β-sitosterol; micronization
• ISSN: 1004-9541; 2210-321X
• DOI: 10.1016/S1004-9541(09)60023-9

The submicroparticles of β-sitosterol were produced by using an aerosol solvent extraction system （ASES） and characterized by scanning electronic microscope （SEM）, X-ray diffraction （XRD）, and Fourier transform infrared （FT-IR） analysis. The effects of operational parameters including pressure, temperature, solution concentration, and ratio of flow rate （CO2/solution, r） on particle size （PS）, yield, and morphology were investigated. The results showed that microparticles of β-sitosterol （less than 1000 nm size and larger than 70% yield） could be obtained at 10-15 MPa, 35 50℃, 15 mg·ml^-1, 10/1（r）; β-sitosterol particles were found to occur as three mophologies： flakes, rods, and spheres by varying ratio of flow rate or solution concentration. In contrast, the crystallinity of β-sitosterol decreased, whereas its molecular structure remained almost unchanged after being ASES-treated. Therefore, ASES was an effective method to produce submicroparticles of β-sitosterol.