This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of microwave-assisted and conventional extraction using ethanol, hexane, and petroleum ether as solvents, and to optimize the process for extracting oil from Moringa oleifera Lam. seeds, with a focus on improving food-grade oil production. Response surface methodology (RSM) was applied to enhance the extraction process of the oil. Central composite rotational design (CCRD) was used to analyze the impact of solid–liquid ratio (x₁), power (x₂), and temperature (x₃) on oil yield. The optimization identified the optimal conditions as a solid/liquid ratio of 1:38, power of 175 W, and temperature of 50 °C, achieving a 42% oil yield. Notably, the microwave-assisted extraction reduced the processing time from 8 h (using conventional Soxhlet extraction) to just 1 h. Conventional extraction with hexane and petroleum ether was also performed for comparison, resulting in similar oil content and fatty acid profiles, predominantly, oleic acid. FTIR analysis confirmed that the microwave-extracted oil contained fatty acids and had similar characteristics to the conventionally extracted oil. Thus, the use of ethanol as a green solvent in the microwave has shown significant improvement in terms of time and energy savings compared to the Soxhlet method with toxic solvents. This study concludes that microwave-assisted extraction with ethanol provides a more energy efficient, environmentally friendly, and time-saving alternative for food-grade oil production, aligning with advancements in food engineering and production.

Oilseed extraction is usually assessed by oil yield alone, with the residual solid treated as a by-product. This study compared microwave-assisted extraction (MAE; 50 °C, 175 W, 45 min) with Soxhlet extraction (78.5 °C, 8 h), both using ethanol, as fractionation routes for licuri (Syagrus coronata), an underused Caatinga oilseed, characterizing both process streams on a common mass basis. Soxhlet gave the higher oil yield (63.64 versus 53.27 g/100 g kernel), whereas MAE raised time-based productivity 8.9-fold under the standard operating conditions of each apparatus; mass balances closed at 97.3% and 95.0%. The productivity gain required a 3.4-fold higher initial ethanol charge. Fatty acid composition, protein and ash contents were equivalent between the two routes, and saponification values matched the value calculated from the fatty acid profile to within 1%. The routes differed in the minor bioactive fraction of the oil and in the composition and functionality of the solid: the MAE oil carried 4.5-fold more α-tocotrienol and 11.8-fold more β-carotene at a lower peroxide value, while the MAE solid carried 67% more phenolics and absorbed 27% more water. Per 100 g of kernel processed, MAE delivered 1.86-fold more phenolics and 1.74-fold more ferric-reducing capacity despite its lower oil yield. Both MAE streams were incorporated into cassava starch formulations as a proof of concept.

Glass-ceramic foams (BVZ: bottle glass waste–zirconia residue–bentonite) were produced using the polymeric replica method from low-cost raw materials, comprising approximately 85 wt% bottle glass waste and zirconia residue, and 15 wt% regional bentonite. To evaluate the effect of zirconia residue on the microstructure and physicochemical properties of the BVZ foams, aqueous precursor suspensions were prepared with varying proportions of bottle glass waste (59.7–69.7 wt%) and zirconia residue (14.9–19.9 wt%), and sintered at 750 °C, 800 °C, and 850 °C. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis revealed a reduction of the amorphous halo (15–35° 2θ) and an increase in crystallinity with increasing temperature, indicating devitrification of the glassy matrix. The main crystalline phases identified were zircon (ZrSiO₄), nepheline (NaAlSiO₄), AlPO₄, and zirconia (ZrO₂), with evidence of minor domains structurally compatible with NASICON-type phases (NaZr₂(PO₄)₃). In general, glass-ceramic foams produced with high waste content showed greater densification and reduced porosity at 850 °C. The mechanical strength was sufficient for handling and assembly in electrochemical cell components, while the reduced brittleness supports safe processing and indicates potential for scalable manufacturing.