Valorization of By-Products from Biofuel Biorefineries: Extraction and Purification of Bioactive Molecules from Post-Fermentation Corn Oil

The aim of this work was to develop innovative and sustainable extraction, concentration,\r\nand purification technologies aimed to recover target substances from corn oil, obtained as side stream\r\nproduct of biomass refineries. Residues of bioactive compounds such as carotenoids, phytosterols,\r\ntocopherols, and polyphenols could be extracted from this matrix and applied as ingredients for\r\nfood and feeds, nutraceuticals, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetic products. These molecules are well\r\nknown for their antioxidant and antiradical capacity, besides other specific biological activities,\r\ngenerically involved in the prevention of chronic and degenerative diseases. The project involved the\r\ndevelopment of methods for the selective extraction of these minor components, using as suitable\r\nextraction technique solid phase extraction. All the extracted and purified fractions were evaluated\r\nby NMR spectroscopic analyses and UV–Vis spectrophotometric techniques and characterized by\r\nquali-quantitative HPLC analyses. TPC (total phenolic content) and TFC (total flavonoid content)\r\nwere also determined. DPPH and ABTS radical were used to evaluate radical quenching abilities.\r\nAcetylcholinesterase (AChE), amylase, glucosidase, and tyrosinase were selected as enzymes in the\r\nenzyme inhibitory assays. The obtained results showed the presence of a complex group of interesting\r\nmolecules with strong potential in market applications according to circular economy principles.