EXTRACTION OF CHOLESTEROL AND OTHER LIPIDS FROM DEHYDRATED BEEF USING SUPERCRITICAL CARBON-DIOXIDE

Supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO2) was used to extract cholesterol and other lipids from dehydrated beef powders and chunks. When powders were extracted at 55-degrees-C and a fluid density of 0.90 g/cm3, the cholesterol and total fat contents of the product could both be reduced by as much as 87%. Lipids were more easily extracted from chunks than from powders, allowing for successful removal at lower temperatures and pressures. Extracted samples were lighter in color than the control. The residual lipids in the extracted samples also contained higher relative percentages of linoleic and linolenic acids than did the lipids in the control samples. Taste panel evaluation of control and extracted powders found no significant differences in beef flavor, the presence of off-flavors, or overall acceptability.