Obtaining a Fraction of Sugarcane Wax Rich in Policosanol by Using Ethanol as Solvent: Results Interpretation through Hansen's Solubility Theory

Abstract

Determination of the best condition for fractionation of degreased sugarcane wax for policosanol production using ethanol was investigated in this paper. The optimal conditions related to the dispersion time of wax in the solvent, ethanol degree, and solvent/wax ratio were 30 min, 90.03% v/v, and 14:1 v/w, respectively. The results were evaluated by measuring six response variables: higher fatty alcohol concentration, octacosanol concentration, impurity concentration (measured as α,β unsaturated aldehydes), yield, cost indicator, and the ratio of octacosanol vs other higher fatty alcohols (C30 + C32 + C34). Optimal extraction conditions were determined with the desirability function. The complexity of separation of the higher alcohols fraction from impurities, mainly α,β unsaturated aldehydes, is explained with the aid of Hansen's solubility parameters theory and its variation with temperature.