377: A Green Biorefinery Approach for the Manufacture of Novel Food Ingredients From High-Value Camelina Seeds

Introduction

Camelina is a promising crop for biofuel production; however, current approaches utilize only a limited fraction to produce biofuel, and the remaining parts are treated as waste. This approach limits the full potential of camelina and similar crops. There is a critical need for sustainable manufacturing methods to completely utilize camelina seeds and expand economic opportunities. Our goal was to develop an innovative integrated green biorefinery approach based on supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO2) to utilize wastes from the processing of camelina seed to obtain several high-value products to be used in the food and nutraceutical industries.

Methods

A green SC-CO2 biorefinery was developed to produce novel food ingredients from camelina seed. Mucilage was extracted and converted into bioaerogels, while ethanol-modified SC-CO2 extracted astaxanthin (a high-value bioactive), and it was purified via novel process based on enzymatic interesterification. Omega-3-rich oil and lecithin (a novel emulsifier) were isolated from the mucilage-free residue using SC-CO2, and proteins from the remaining waste were tested for functionality and transformed into aerogels. Additionally, 3D food printing inks were developed using camelina seed oil, mucilage, and protein aerogels.

Results

Novel food-grade high surface area (240 m2/g) and ultra-low density (0.05 g/cm3) bioaerogels were fabricated from camelina mucilage for the first time. Mucilage bioaerogels showed comparable rheological properties to commercial xanthan gum – potential food thickeners and stabilizers. The novel enzymatic purification process separated 99% of the oil to obtain high-purity astaxanthin. The performance of the emulsions stabilized using camelina lecithin was similar to the commercial soy lecithin. The camelina seed mucilage and protein aerogels improved the printability of 3D food printing pastes. Moreover, 3D food printing increased the in vitro bioaccessibility of astaxanthin (p < 0.05).

Significance

This project will establish a foundation for profitable camelina production and utilization in biofuels and food, generating high-value products to enhance crop sustainability and economic value. Several novel high value products and fractions are generated. The process is scalable and useful for multiple bioenergy feedstocks. This will facilitate the application of the technology in rural settings to support the economic sustainability of these communities and to create new market opportunities for farmers.

Authors: Purlen Sezer Okur, Angelina Lo-Presti, Jaden Unlu, and Ozan N. Ciftci