Optimization of ultrasound-assisted extraction of phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity from carob pulp (Ceratonia siliqua l.) by using response surface methodology

Abstract

In this study, the ultrasonic-assisted extraction for phenolic compound extraction from the carob pulp (Ceratonia siliqua L.) was applied. The Box-Behnken design and response surface methodology (RSM) were used to study and optimize the effect of processing variables, acetone concentration (60-80%), extraction amplitude (30-100%) and extraction time (10-60 min) on the total phenolic content (TPC) and the antioxidant activity. The optimal values for the TPC yield and for the antioxidant activity were at 59.30% and 61.70% acetone concentration, 85.86% and 90.12% extraction amplitude, and 53.24 min and 56.82 min of extraction time, respectively. The experimental values were in accordance with those predicted by the model, which indicated the suitability of response surface methodology in optimizing the antioxidants extraction from carob pulp by ultrasonic-assisted extraction.