Title : Combined microwave and ultrasound technique as an efficient extraction method of bioactive compounds from flaxseed
Abstract:
The pursuit of environmentally sustainable practices has driven research into green extraction methods for bioactive compounds from plants. This study presents the combined application of microwave and ultrasound techniques to enhance polyphenol content and antioxidant activity (Aa). Flaxseeds underwent microwave pretreatment before being subjected to ultrasound assisted extraction of polyphenolic compounds. Comparative experiments using separate techniques and a conventional method were performed. The influence of different parameters including extraction time, temperature, and ethanol concentration in water on the total phenolic content (Tpc) and Aa was studied. Data showed a significant increase (p<0.05) in Tpc and Aa with 80% ethanol concentration compared with 50% and 96%. The highest TPC and AA were obtained after 15 min of extraction. Prolonged extraction time led to a slight degradation of polyphenols. Anova analysis indicated that the Tpc and Aa increase significantly with increasing the temperature from 30 to 45 °C (p<0.05) and non-significantly from 45 to 60 °C (p>0.05). The combined use of microwave and ultrasound resulted in higher yields compared with conventional extraction (a 60% increase) or the use of ultrasound (a 24% increase) or microwave (a 30% increase) separately. Moreover, this approach is a more eco-friendly and highly effective technique compared with conventional methods. The resulting extracts, enriched in polyphenols, could potentially find applications in various fields such as pharmaceutical, food, agriculture, etc. as alternative source of antioxidants.
This work was supported by a grant from the National Program for Research of the National Association of Technical Universities - Gnac Arut 2023.
Audience Takeaway:
- This research highlights the growing awareness and importance of sustainability in various industries, including the extraction of bioactive compounds from plants, by using advanced technologies which focus on intensification, such as effective energy use, increased mass transfer, reduced equipment size etc.
- The study underscores the effectiveness of synergistic approaches (the combined use of microwave and ultrasound techniques) in enhancing the extraction efficiency of bioactive compounds from plants. This strategy can be applied to various bioactive compounds and diverse plant materials.
- Through the utilization of an eco-friendly solvent, the resulting extracts, enriched in polyphenols, hold potential commercial value across various industries.
