Defatted fiber produced from lemon Basil (Ocimum citriodorum Vis.) seed with supercritical CO2: Economic analysis

Abstract The feasibility study is important for ensuring the profitable of the production process. This study employs economic analysis of chemical-free processing of lemon basil seed to evaluate the viability of production. Lemon basil seed was cracked before extracted by supercritical carbon dioxide. The uniformed mucilage powder was obtained by milling and sieving. Three products, ∼75% defatted fiber, ∼15% basil seed (Omega-3 rich) oil, and ∼10% of high protein powder, were obtained from this process. Mass and energy balances were obtained from the experiments in the 25-L extractor, and these results were used to apply analysis to 50- and 100-L extractors. The results indicated that 50- and 100-L plants were both profitable. Sensitivity analysis was employed to indicate that the 25-L plant could be practical if the selling price of defatted fiber increased from $22,850 to $27,477/ton. The project feasibility was also found to be partially dictated by the price of basil seed as well. For example, the 50-L plant fell below profitability when the price of basil seed increased from $5150 to $6,517/ton.