Response surface optimization of ultrasonic-assisted extraction of carotenoids from oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) fronds

Ultrasound assisted phytochemical extraction of persimmon fruit peel: Integrating ANN modeling and genetic algorithm optimization

In the present study, ultrasound assisted extraction (UAE) of phytochemicals from persimmon fruit peel (PFP) was modeled using an artificial neural network (ANN) and optimized by integrating with genetic algorithm (GA). The range of process parameters selected for conducting the experiments was ultrasonication power (XU) 150---350 W, extraction temperatures (XT) 30---70 °C, solid to solvent ratio (XS) 1:15---1:35 g/ml, and ethanol concentration (XC) 40---80 %. The range of responses total phenolic content (YP), antioxidant activity (YA), total beta carotenoid (YB) and total flavonoid content (YF) at various independent variables combinations were found to be 7.72---24.62 mg GAE/g d.w., 51.44---85.58 %DPPH inhibition, 24.78---56.56 µg/g d.w. and 0.29---1.97 mg QE/g d.w. respectively. The modelling utilised an ANN architecture with a configuration of 4-12-4. The training process employed the Levenberg-Marquardt method, whereas the activation function chosen for the layers was the log sigmoid. The optimum condition predicted by the hybrid ANN-GA model for the independent variables, XU, XT, XS and XC was found to be 230.18 W, 50.66 °C, 28.27 g/ml, and 62.75 % respectively. The extraction process was carried out for 25 min, with 5-minute intervals, at various temperatures between 30 and 60 °C, to investigate the kinetic and thermodynamic characteristics of the process, under the optimal conditions of XU, XS and XC. The UAE of phytochemicals from persimmon peel followed pseudo second order kinetic model and the extraction process was endothermic in nature.

Water-soluble palm fruit extract: composition, biological properties, and molecular mechanisms for health and non-health applications

The oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) fruit is a source of vegetable oil and various phytonutrients. Phytochemical compounds present in palm oil include tocotrienols, carotenoids, phytosterols, squalene, coenzyme Q₁₀, and phospholipids. Being a fruit, the oil palm is also a rich source of water-soluble phytonutrients, including phenolic compounds. Extraction of phytonutrients from the oil palm vegetation liquor of palm oil milling results in a phenolic acid-rich fraction termed Water-Soluble Palm Fruit Extract (WSPFE). Pre-clinical in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo studies carried out using various biological models have shown that WSPFE has beneficial bioactive properties, while clinical studies in healthy volunteers showed that it is safe for human consumption and confers antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. The composition, biological properties, and relevant molecular mechanisms of WSPFE discovered thus far are discussed in the present review, with a view to offer future research perspectives on WSPFE for health and non-health applications.

Optimising Tropical Fruit Juice Quality Using Thermosonication-Assisted Extraction via Blocked Face-Centered Composite Design

Extraction of tropical fruit juice using simple, efficient, and environmentally friendly technologies is gaining importance to produce high quality juices. Juice from pink-fleshed guava, pink-fleshed pomelo, and soursop was extracted using direct and indirect thermosonication methods by varying intensity, time, and temperature, and compared to those extracted using water bath incubation. Improvised models of juice yield, ascorbic acid, and total soluble solids responses were generated by eliminating insignificant model terms of the factors in full quadratic model using backward eliminating procedure. Main effects, 3D, or 4D plots for each response were developed based on factors that influenced the response. Results showed that the best extraction method for guava and pomelo juices were within indirect thermosonication method of 1 kW, 55 °C and 30 min, and 2.5 kW, 54 °C and 23 min, respectively. Direct thermosonication method at 10% amplitude, 55 °C for 2 to 10 min was more suitable for soursop juice. Thermosonicated extraction of tropical fruit juice can improve its juice yield, ascorbic acid content, and total soluble solids content.

Response surface optimization for recovery of polyphenols and carotenoids from leaves of Centella asiatica using an ethanol-based solvent system

Response surface methodology has been used to optimize the extraction conditions for total phenolics and carotenoids from leaves of Centella asiatica. Solvent concentration (30%-100%), extraction temperature (30-60°C), and extraction time (30-90 min) were used as the independent variables. A second-order polynomial model produced a satisfactory fitting of the experimental data with regard to total phenolics (R 2 = 84.75%, p < 0.004) and carotenoid (R 2 = 78.74, p < 0.019) contents. The optimum extraction conditions of ethanol concentration, extraction temperature, and extraction time for phenolics were 6.1%, 70.2°C, and 110.5 min and for carotenoids, the optimum parameters were 100%, 70.2°C, and 110.5 min, respectively. The optimal predicted contents for total phenolics (9.03 mg Gallic Acid Equivalent (GAE)/g DW) and carotenoid (8.74 mg/g DW) values in the extracts were agreed with the experimental values obtained with optimum extraction conditions for each response, and also they possess significantly higher total antioxidant capacity.

Optimization of ultrasonic-assisted extraction of total carotenoids from peach palm fruit (Bactris gasipaes) by-products with sunflower oil using response surface methodology

The present study reports on the extraction of total carotenoids from peach palm fruit by-products with sunflower oil. Response surface methodology (RSM) was used to investigate the effect of process variables on the ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE). Three independent variables including ultrasonic intensity (764-1528, W/m(2)), temperature (25-45°C), and the extraction time (10-30 min). According to the results, the optimal UAE condition was obtained with an ultrasonic intensity of 1528 W/m(2), extraction temperature of 35°C and extraction time of 30 min. At these conditions, extraction maximum extraction of total carotenoids as 163.47 mg/100 g dried peel. The experimental values under optimal condition were in good consistent with the predicted values.

Response surface optimization of ultrasonic-assisted extraction of carotenoids from oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) fronds

Oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) fronds (OPF) are the most abundant oil palm solid wastes that are generated during oil palm agriculture and harvest. Palm oil and some other palm wastes have been reported to contain high concentrations of carotenoids with vital bioactive properties. However, the extraction and quantification of carotenoids from OPF have not been reported. In this study, ultrasonic-assisted extraction, HPLC-FLD for quantification, and response surface methodology (RSM) for optimization of β-carotene, lutein, and zeaxanthin from OPF extracts were investigated. The effects of extraction temperature (X₁: 30-70°C), extraction time (X₂: 10-50 min), and solvent-sample ratio (X₃: 10-50 mL/g) on the recovery of β-carotene (Y₁), lutein (Y₂), and zeaxanthin (Y₃) were investigated using three-level Box-Behnken design (BBD) experiment. At a desirability of 1, the optimum extraction conditions for β-carotene (30.14°C, 37.11 min, and 23.18 mL/g), lutein (30.00°C, 39.09 min, and 19.24 mL/g), and zeaxanthin (30.09°C, 36.76 min, and 22.38 mL/g) yielded carotenoid concentrations of 17.95 μg/g dry weight (DW), 261.99 μg/g DW, and 29.99 μg/g DW, respectively.