Optimization of modified soxhlet extraction parameters for squalene recovery from olive oil deodorizer distillate

Olive oil deodorization distillate is a by-product of the refining process, comprising approximately 0.1% of the total processed oil. The recovery of squalene from olive oil deodorizer distillate (OODD) using modified soxhlet extraction was experimentally investigated in this study. The effect of extraction parameters, such as temperature, extraction time, and OODD to silica gel mass ratio, on the squalene recovery was examined, and the optimal conditions were determined using the Response-Surface Methodology based on Box-Behnken statistical experimental design. The highest squalene concentration of 149 mg/L was achieved with an OODD to silica gel mass ratio of 1:3 at a temperature of 65 °C and an extraction time of 8 h. The squalene recovery efficiency from OODD was determined to be approximately 96%.