A Novel Strategy for the Separation of Functional Oils from Chamomile Seeds

What if the humble chamomile seed, often discarded after tea-making, holds a treasure trove of health-boosting oils? A new study reveals a green method to unlock up to 18.6% oil rich in beneficial compounds.

Chamomile seeds, typically overlooked, are stepping into the spotlight as a promising source of bioactive oils for human consumption. Researchers employed a green extraction technique using supercritical carbon dioxide (sc-CO2), reaching pressures up to 450 bar and temperatures up to 60°C, to efficiently produce high-quality oil. They even gave the leftover waste a second chance by re-extracting with sc-CO2 and ethanol, boosting the oil yield from a modest 2.4% to an impressive 18.6% through careful optimization of pressure, temperature, cost, seed milling, and co-solvent use.

Key Points

• Green extraction boosts oil yield from 2.4% to 18.6%.
• Oils rich in unsaturated fatty acids (up to 88.7%).
• Antioxidant and antimicrobial activities confirmed.