ABSTRACT The lutein ester of the marigold flower is entrapped in the matrix of pectin, cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin which cannot be released by moderate acidic, alkaline treatment or enzymatic treatment with a single enzyme. Five different parameters are optimized in the current study for two response factors: lutein ester extraction (LEEP) and floral solid hydrolyzed percentage (FSHP). Three commercially available enzymes, namely pectinase, cellulase, and xylanase, at various temperatures and time intervals were utilised to optimise the enzymatic hydrolysis of flower biomass. An L27 orthogonal Taguchi experimental design was employed, investigating temperature (25–35 °C), time (10–30 days), and enzyme levels (pectinase, cellulase and xylanase at 0–1 mL). The optimal conditions for 100% lutein ester extraction from marigold flower waste were: temperature 35 °C, 20 days, and enzymes 1 mL/200 g each of pectinase (2600 µPG/g), cellulase (20000 CMC U/g), and xylanase (300000 U/g). Thus, it could be concluded that optimisation by the Taguchi method could be used to develop an enzyme cocktail for the hydrolysis of marigold flowers to obtain the best yield of lutein ester. The aim is to enhance the yield of lutein ester through the optimisation of the enzymatic pre-treatment of the marigold flower.
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