Parametric Study on the Extraction of Crude Wax from Sugarcane Peelings using Ethanol as Solvent for Policosanol Production
Author : Palisoc, Karl Louise Catindig
Major Adviser : Borines, Myra G.
Major Co-Adviser : Movillon, Jovita A.
Committee Members : Valencia, Jeanne Michelle T.; Capunitan, Jewel A.
Year : 2017
Month : July
Type : Thesis
Degree: BS
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Abstract
Policosanol, a long chain alcohol, is a waxy substance found on the surfaces of plants. The significant one of them is octacosanol. It is used in different industries such as pharmaceuticals, food, cosmetics and others. Sugarcane, one of the most industrially processed plants in the world, is a good source of policosanol. Hot ethanol reflux extraction of sugarcane crude wax from the sugarcane peelings was done using a two-level factorial experimental design. The effects of extraction temperature (30°C and 60°C), extraction time (1 hour and 5 hours) and solvent/solid ratio (8 mL/g and 10 mL/g) on the yield of crude wax were determined. It was observed that only the extraction temperature and extraction time have positive effects on the yield of crude wax from the powdered sugarcane peelings which means that as the parameter increases, so does the yield. The extraction time on its own was determined to be insignificant but was still considered since the temperature-time and time-solvent/solid ratio interactions were significant. The highest yield of 4.99 gram crude wax per 100 gram of powdered sugarcane peelings was obtained at 60°C, 5 hours and 8 mL/g solvent/solid ratio. Using the Soxhlet extraction, the average maximum possible yield obtained was 5.59 gram crude wax per 100 gram powdered sample. Based on the maximum recoverable crude wax, the percent recovery was 89.25%. Using literature values, the theoretical amount of policosanol in the crude wax was 1.70 gram per 100 gram sugarcane peelings.
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