Abstract
Hylocereus costaricensis peel contains large amounts of betacyanins and can be exploited as a source of natural colorants. This work aimed the chemical characterization and evaluation of bioactive properties of this by-product and the optimization of the ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) of betacyanins using the response surface methodology (RSM). Oxalic and malic acids and traces of fumaric acid were detected, as well as the four tocopherol isoforms, predominantly γ-tocopherol. Four betacyanins were identified and used as response criteria for UAE optimization, namely phyllocactin, isobetanin, isophyllocactin, and betanin. Sample processing at 487 W for 38 min result in the maximum betacyanin content (36 ± 1 mg/g dw). The peel extract inhibit the oxidative haemolysis, with IC50 values of 255 and 381 μg/mL for Δt of 60 and 120 min, respectively, and the growth of pathogenic bacteria, with minimum inhibitory concentrations ranging from 5 to 20 mg/mL. Furthermore, no toxicity was observed for normal cells.
Highlights
The increasing demand for products with less or non-artificial ad ditives has prompted the exploitation of natural matrices under exhaustive research by the scientific community
The ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) technique was applied and the extraction parameters were optimized using the response surface methodology (RSM) in order to obtain a betacyanin-rich extract with colouring capacity
An UAE process for the detected betacyanins was optimized by RSM
Summary
The increasing demand for products with less or non-artificial ad ditives has prompted the exploitation of natural matrices under exhaustive research by the scientific community. There are several studies that report that these discarded peels present promising bioactive capacities due to the presence of these betacyanins, (Faridah, Holinesti, & Syukri, 2015), that at the same time present an intense colour, being a huge and un explored raw material. Bearing this in mind, and being in line with the global politics, it is necessary to give new life to underutilized resources, namely bio-residues with no valuable destination, privileging circular economy and sustainability, promoting social economic development, and reducing environmental damage (Bakar, Ee, Muhammad, Hashim, & Adzahan, 2013). The bioactive potential of the peel extract was evaluated for its antioxidant, antimicrobial and hepatotoxic properties
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