Green extraction of marine phospholipids from Conger eel by-product using SC-CO2: Lipidomic profiles and biological activities

This paper presents an eco-friendly approach to recovering phospholipids (PLs) from the Conger myriaster head (CMH) via supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO2) extraction using ethanol as a cosolvent. The lipidomic profile and biological activities of the extracted PLs were investigated. Purity assessments, PL composition analysis, and fatty acid profiling were performed to characterize the PLs. Biological activity was determined through antioxidant, antimicrobial, antihypertensive, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer evaluations. The results showed that the yields of the SC-CO2 extracted CMH PLs (SCHP) and organic solvent extracted CMH PLs (OCHP) were 3.26% f 0.20 % (76.18% f 0.09% purity) and 9.02% f 0.21% (purity = 18.29% f 0.04%), respectively. The 31P NMR analysis revealed a diverse PL composition in both extracts, with the SCHP showing higher PC content and selective extraction characteristics. The SCHP exhibited significantly superior antioxidant, antimicrobial, antihypertensive, and anti-dementia activities compared to the OCHP. Both extracts inhibited nitric oxide production in RAW 264.7 cells, suggesting anti-inflammatory activity. Selective anticancer activity was observed, with high toxicity in SK-N-SH cells but no cytotoxicity in RAW 264.7 and HaCaT cells. The findings highlight the potential of SC-CO2 extraction using ethanol to obtain bioactive PLs from marine byproducts, with promising applications in the pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and food industries.