Study of the process of isolation of the squalene fraction from white lupine

Squalene is a polyunsaturated hydrocarbon triterpene (C₃₀H₅₀) with numerous beneficial properties. Extracting squalene from wild white lupine is currently economically feasible and a promising area for the food and pharmaceutical industries. The aim of this study was to investigate the process of isolating a squalene fraction from white lupine. The lipid fraction of lupine samples obtained by Soxhlet extraction was used for the research. Gas chromatography was used to determine the content of biologically active substances in the test sample and to detect squalene. Squalene and related substances were visualized using chemical detection (iodine vapor staining). The amount of lipid fraction isolated from white lupine was found to be 9.65±0.32%. The lipid fraction of white lupine was shown to contain up to 34.57% squalene and 10.24% campesterol. The test sample was found to contain 2‑methyloctacosane (9.62% relative to other components), heneicosane (8.33% relative to other components), and beta-sitosterol (8.99% relative to other components). Lupeol (a triterpenoid) was also noted to be present in the lipid fraction during extraction. Using HPLC, a fraction containing pure squalene was obtained. It has been established that squalene can be isolated from the lipid fraction of lupine using a mixture of 95% ethanol and 50% KOH. The process involves multi-stage extraction with the hexane-water system, treatment of the resulting phase with sodium sulfate, and subsequent purification by liquid chromatography, achieving a purity of 98%. It is believed that squalene isolated from white lupine can be used to manufacture dietary supplements and functional foods for the prevention of human cardiovascular diseases.

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