Optimization of nobiletin extraction assisted by microwave from orange byproduct using response surface methodology

Abstract

Nobiletin (NOB) is a well-known polymethoxylated flavone that has only been found in citrus. The objective of this study is to obtain the optimal conditions for extracting nobiletin from sweet orange residues by microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) using response surface method. By using the Box-Behnken experimental design and SAS software 3 independent variables including solid/solvent ratio, microwave power, and treatment time were examined for the response variable nobiletin extraction yield. The regression Eq. 7 statistically significant (p<0.001) and R2 was 0.9189. Based on our regression result and considering the feasibility of experiment conduction, we chose the following independent variable values as the optimized conditions for the extraction of NOB: 1:21.91 (g/mL) for the solid/solvent ratio, 14.16 min for the treatment time, and 693.72 W for the microwave power. Under these conditions, the nobiletin yield of 267.8 μg/g of byproduct was achieved.