The extraction of cholesterol from solid and liquid matrices using supercritical CO₂

Abstract

Abstract The design and construction of a relatively simple supercritical CO 2 system capable of extracting compounds from solid and liquid matrices are described. The system consists of a conventional liquid chromatography pump, a cooler, a stainless steel extraction chamber, and a modified collection system. A preliminary evaluation of the extractor is carried out here by using it to extract cholesterol from egg yolk and blood serum. The extracts were analyzed by supercritical fluid chromatography, and the results compared with those obtained by Soxhlet extraction.