Supercritical fluid extraction of Prunus persica leaves and utilization possibilities as a source of phenolic compounds

Abstract

Mediterranean countries contribute highly on world peach production and tonnes of waste leaves are released due to pruning. The aim of this study was to investigate the utilization possibilities of the leaves by supercritical fluid extraction. A statistical design was used to evaluate the effect of temperature (40–80°C), pressure (150–300bar) and concentration of ethanol as co-solvent (6–20%) at a flow rate of 15g/min and for a duration of 60min. The most effective variables were found as pressure and co-solvent ratio (p<0.005). Optimum extraction conditions were elicited as 60°C, 150bar and 6% co-solvent yielding a total phenol content of 79.92mgGAE/g extract, EC50 value of 232.20μg/ml and a radical scavenging activity of 53.25% which was higher than the value obtained by conventional solvent extraction method (32.23%). Consequently, Prunus persica L. leaves were found as a potential phenolic source for industrial applications.