Ranking novel extraction systems of seedless barberry (Berberis Vulgaris) bioactive compounds with fuzzy logic-based term weighting scheme

Abstract

In this study, various extraction systems of seedless barberry fruit bioactive compounds (Berberis vulgaris) were ranked using a fuzzy logic-based term weighting scheme (inputs: extraction yield, total phenolic content (TPC), vitamin C content, anthocyanin content, antioxidant activity, time, temperature, pressure). Hot water bath as a control method (C), high-pressure CO2 (HPCD), subcritical water (SCW), and cold press (CP) methods were applied to extract bioactive compounds of the fruit. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) revealed the types of anthocyanins. The results show that the highest and lowest yield were obtained for HPCD and SCW treatment (92.5% and 88.7%, respectively; P > 0.05). The TPC ranged from 214.16 (HPCD) to 457.20 (SCW) mg GAE/100 mL (P < 0.05). The suitable content of TPC was extracted by CP (310 mg GAE/100 mL) in less than 5 min. The most and lowest anthocyanin and vitamin C were obtained by HPCD and SCW extract (P < 0.05). In the control and cold press extracts, Delphinidin-3-O-glucoside and Cyanidin -3-O-glucoside were dominant, while in HPCD extract Cyanidin -3-O-glucoside had the highest value. The antioxidant activity of various extraction methods decreased in the order of SCW > CP > HPCD > C. The experts introduced all of the extraction factors as important to very important (defuzzification score>75). The final results of fuzzy logic showed that CP, HPCD, and Control methods; had a total score above average (score> 50: 70.44, 67.30, and 65.55, respectively) and can be recommended to extract bioactive compounds from barberry depending on the final purpose and the cost-effectiveness.