Solubility of beta-carotene in supercritical carbon dioxide and ethane

Solubilities of synthetic trans-beta-carotene in supercritical carbon dioxi de and ethane were measured, at temperatures from 35 to 60 degrees C and pr essures up to 300 bar, using a single-pass flow apparatus. The compound sho wed a low solubility in both solvents, but in ethane, its value was about a n order of magnitude higher. The solubility measurements were compared with those published by other workers, which used different methods for the det ermination of the concentration of beta-carotene in supercritical fluids. M oreover, the solubility data were correlated using the Peng-Robinson equati on of state. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.