From waste to wonder: Unleashing the antimicrobial and antioxidant potential of acerola residue using a central composite rotatable design

Abstract

This study aimed to optimize the extraction conditions of the antioxidant and antimicrobial compounds from acerola residue and evaluate the optimized extract's bioactivity. A central composite rotatable design (CCRD) was used to evaluate the effect of three independent variables (time, temperature, and ethanol concentration) on the total phenolic content, antioxidant activity, and extraction yield. The optimized extract was evaluated for phenolic profile, yellow flavonoid, total anthocyanins, total and condensed tannins, and antimicrobial activity. Optimum conditions were achieved at 110 min, 20 °C, and 34% ethanol. The optimized extract showed high content of total phenolic compounds (903.64 mg GAE .100 g−1 d.m) and the phenolic profile revealed the presence of 16 substances, especially gentisic acid (60.46 ± 4.94 mg .100 g−1). The optimized extract showed high antioxidant activity (3510.64 mgTE .100 g−1), and antimicrobial action against Salmonella Typhimurium and Listeria monocytogenes strains, making it a promising alternative in the food, chemical, and pharmaceutical industries.