Recovery of anthocyanins from red cabbage using sandy porous medium enriched with clay

The present work studied the viability of the smectitic clay Tonsil Terrana 580 FF, used in the partial purification of anthocyanin from red cabbage, and the possible mechanisms involved in the column adsorption process. The performed essays studied the influence of the initial concentration and interstitial velocity on the adsorbed and desorbed mass of anthocyanins. Experimental design showed that adsorption is an instantaneous process, while dye fixation on clay depends on the contact time. Recovery of anthocyanins was compared to the results obtained when resin was used in chromatography and was used to partially purify dyes (Amberlite XAD-7). A model taking into account the dye transport processes, adsorption and fixation of the dye was developed. Recovery of anthocyanins adsorbed on clay was 21% higher than with Amberlite. Tonsil Terrana clay showed to be a good adsorbent for the proposed application.