Until the present, oilseed extractions have been mainly performed using hexane: a toxic, non-sustainable solvent. Extraction methods using ethanol have recently been proposed and, to evaluate the suitability of ethanol as an alternative solvent, Moringa seeds with an oil content as high as 40% have been chosen to determine the equilibrium properties in solid–liquid ethanol extractions. The equilibrium constant (K_eq) and the specific retained solution (M) of the extractive systems seeds–oil–hexane and seeds–oil–ethanol were determined and validated, following a counter-current multi-stage extraction model. The extractions were carried out at 40 and 50 °C, the mass to solvent ratios used were 1:5, 1:10 and 1:20, and shelled and unshelled seeds (kernels) were tested. The K_eq and M of the different kinetics revealed that K_eq was not infinite in the hexane systems, whereas the ethanol systems registered slightly lower values. Regarding M, although the seed powder allowed more rapid extractions, particle size was increased to reduce M for an easier phase preparation. Finally, a counter-current multi-stage extraction system was simulated and applied under suitable conditions. The fatty acid profiles for both types of extract were similar regarding their main components. definition:

Jinicuil seed starch (JSS) was partially characterized and then evaluated as wall material. JSS showed higher content of proteins, lipids, and resistant starch than commercial corn starch (CCS). JSS granules presented both oval-spherical shapes and heterogeneous sizes (~1–40 µm) and exhibited a crystallinity lower than CCS with an A-type X-ray diffraction pattern. Both gelatinization peak and final viscosity values in the pasting profile were higher in JSS than in CCS. At 90 °C, the water solubility was 22% and the swelling power was 17 g g⁻¹. Under refrigeration and freeze-thaw, the JSS gel showed high stability. JSS showed a significant presence of protein and small particles; therefore, it was evaluated as wall material in spray drying. The results showed the formation of spherical aggregates and encapsulation efficiencies of L-ascorbic acid of 14.97–81.84%, with process yields of 19.96–27.64%, under the conditions evaluated. JSS has a potential application in the food industry but also as wall material for microencapsulation by spray drying.

Pitaya (Stenocereus spp.) is recognized for its nutritional properties, with its seeds and peel accounting for 22–29% of the fruit’s mass, often treated as agro-industrial waste. This study evaluates the potential of green solvents for oil extraction from pitaya seeds, aiming to enhance the valorization of these by-products. The efficiency of ethanol and supercritical CO₂ (SC-CO₂) was compared to hexane, a commonly used solvent. Soxhlet extractions were performed using ethanol and hexane, while SC-CO₂ extractions were conducted under two conditions: 180 bar at 50 °C and 250 bar at 35 °C. Oil yields ranged from 4.9% to 24.7%, with hexane achieving the highest yield. However, SC-CO₂ extraction demonstrated its potential as a sustainable alternative. Future studies will focus on characterizing the fatty acid profile of the extracted oil to further assess its nutritional and industrial applications.