Optimal Extraction Conditions Research Articles

Utilizing HPLC-DAD, multivariate analysis, molecular docking, and in vitro validation methods to investigate phenolic compounds with potential antidiabetic properties in Fraxinus mandshurica

This comprehensive study utilized response surface methodology (RSM) to optimize extraction conditions for total flavonoids and phenols from F. mandshurica. Optimal conditions for flavonoids were 75 % ethanol, 63 °C, and 84 min, yielding 14.98 ± 0.13 mg/g. For phenols, it was 70 % ethanol, 66 °C, and 87 min, resulting in 26.04 ± 0.22 mg/g. UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS identified 68 constituents in F. mandshurica, categorized into groups. HPLC-DAD established a method for quantitative analysis of 12 target compounds. Geographical distribution analysis highlighted the northeast region as the main production area. Fingerprinting of 30 samples and multivariate analysis identified five active compounds. Hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) showed differences in active compounds based on origin. In vitro antidiabetic evaluation demonstrated α-glucosidase inhibitory effects. Molecular docking studies were conducted between 12 active compounds and the antidiabetic-related protein 8A27. Esculetin had the highest binding affinity. The study examined extraction methods, analyzed samples, and explored antidiabetic effects, providing data support and insights for F. mandshurica as a natural industrial product and for extracts and active compounds as antidiabetic sources.

"Enhancing polyamine enrichment from wheat germs: A study utilizing response surface methodology and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry"

Wheat germ is one of the richest natural sources of polyamines, especially spermidine. Cell proliferation property of polyamines has given them inductive effects in the reduction of a variety of chronic diseases and fertility enhancement. Preparing a polyamine-rich extract powder from wheat germ for use in supplements is the aim of the present study. For the first time, the effects of three independent variables of clean-up replicate (A), extraction time (B), and solid-to-liquid ratio (C) on the response of total spermidine content (Y) were investigated using a central composite design optimizing polyamine enrichment. The optimal extraction conditions were 7 h, 3 clean-up replicates, and 1:4 solid to liquid ratio. This is the first production report of spermidine-enriched powder for encapsulation purposes. To obtain an acceptable rheological property, the polyamine-enriched extract was spray dried together with a selected group of excipients, among which glucose was evidenced as the best choice based on encapsulation properties.

A green and sensitive electromembrane extraction (EME) method for the determination of dialkylphosphates in maternal urine and amniotic fluid

Organophosphates compounds are extensively used pesticides, whose metabolites, dialkyl phosphates, are considered as bioindicators of human exposure. Recently, research has indicated that they can affect thyroid endocrine function. Pregnant women are a particularly vulnerable cohort to these effects due to concerns about prenatal exposure to environmental pollutants. For the first time an electromembrane microextraction method is proposed for the simultaneous determination of seven dialkylphosphate metabolites in maternal urine and amniotic fluid, which is compatible with mass spectrometry detection and achieves highly sensitive levels of quantitation. Dialkylphosphates were extracted from a 10 mL donor solution at pH 7 into a 50 µL acceptor solution at pH 12 using 1-octanol as the supported liquid membrane and applying 60 V for 10 min at 600 rpm. The obtained extracts were analysed by ion pair liquid chromatography coupled to a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer, using an Acquity UPLC® BEH C18 column (100 mm × 2.1 mm i.d., 1.7 µm particle size) at 30 °C. Under optimal extraction conditions, the preconcentration factors were achieved were up to 178-fold, allowing for high sensitivity levels, in the order of ng mL−1. The limits of quantitation were within 0.075 ng mL−1 (diethyl thiophosphate) and 1.67 ng mL−1 (dimethyl phosphate) in maternal urine samples and within 0.015 ng mL−1 (diethyl thiophosphate) and 0.5 ng mL−1 (dimethyl dithiophosphate) in amniotic fluid samples. The comparative study revealed a significant improvement in terms of analysis time, sensitivity, greenness, and practicality. Finally, the applicability of the method for the determination of selected dialkylphosphates was demonstrated in paired maternal urine and amniotic fluid samples. These results suggest potential placental transfer to the offspring.

Extraction of mucilage polysaccharides from chia seed by hydrophobic deep eutectic solvents-based three-phase partitioning system: A phase behavior-driven approach

By incorporating the hydrophobic deep eutectic solvents (DESs) into the three-phase partitioning (TPP) technique, a TPP-based method was developed to extract the chia seed polysaccharide (CSP) from chia seed. Through a single-factor experiment and response-surface model, the optimal condition for the TPP extraction was determined as DES composed of dodecanoic acid and octanoic acid in a 1:1 M ratio, (NH4)2SO4 concentration of 32.86 %, crude extract–DES ratio of 0.93 (v/v), aqueous phase pH of 4.38, extraction temperature of 35 °C, and extraction time of 10 min. The polysaccharide yield of the constructed TPP method is 8.65 %, which is higher than the conventional water extraction method (yield is 6.96 %). Molecular dynamics simulations reveal the phase behavior of proteins and polysaccharides in the TPP system, showing that noncovalent interactions play a crucial role in the TPP system. The CSP obtained by the TPP method exhibits distinctive composition, structural, physicochemical, and functional properties, leading to improved thermal stability, rheological behavior, and antioxidant performance. Compared with the traditional extraction method, efficient extraction of CSP can be achieved flexibly using the proposed TPP approach, resulting in high yield and quality of CSP, which provides a new path for the large-scale utilization of chia seed.

Cell rupture of Tetradesmus obliquus using high-pressure homogenization at the pilot scale and recovery of pigments and lipids

Microalgae are promising sources of intracellular metabolites such as proteins, polysaccharides, pigments, and lipids. Thus, this study applied high-pressure homogenization (HPH) techniques on a pilot scale to disrupt the cells of Tetradesmus obliquus. The effects of pressure (P; 150, 250, and 350 bar), suspension concentration (Cs; 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 % w/v), and number of cycles (Nc; 5, 15, and 25) were evaluated in HPH via a Box–Behnken experimental design. Response surface methodology was applied to optimize the recovery rate (dTr) of pigments and lipids. The specific energy consumption (SEC) and color change gradient (ΔE) of the biomass during HPH were also assessed. The optimal HPH conditions for pigment extraction with 1.5 % Cs (w/v) were as follows: P = 312 bar and Nc = 22 for chlorophyll-a (0.83 g/100 g; dTr = 69 %; SEC = 47.50 kJ/g dry matter); P = 345 bar and Nc = 24 for chlorophyll-b (0.63 g/100 g; dTr = 80 %; SEC = 57.30 kJ/g dry matter); P = 345 bar and Nc = 24 for total carotenoids (0.53 g/100 g; dTr = 79 %; SEC = 54.12 kJ/g dry matter); and P = 350 bar and Nc = 25 for β-carotene (299 µg/g; dTr = 58 %; SEC = 62.08 kJ/g dry matter). The optimal HPH conditions for lipid extraction were P = 350 bar and Nc = 23, with a lipid recovery rate of ≥28 %. Cell disruption during HPH caused a change in the color of the biomass (ΔE) due to the release of intracellular biocompounds. Increasing P and Nc led to higher SECs, ΔE gradients, and pigment and lipid contents. Thus, the levels of recovered pigments and lipids can be indicators of cell disruption in T. obliquus.

Optimization of oil extraction from Melia azedarach fruits using methanol-modified SC-CO2 for highly efficient biodiesel production using a modified LAC catalyst

A highly efficient oil extraction method including modified Supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO2) with co-solvents was applied for oil extraction from Melia azedarach fruits and then using a modified LAC (luffa activated carbon) catalyst, the oil was converted to biodiesel for the first time. The effect of pressure (22–30 MPa), temperature (40–80 °C), extraction time (0–240 min) and co-solvent (methanol and n-hexane) were determined on SC-CO2 extraction to obtain the optimum condition. The optimum extraction conditions for Melia azedarach oil corresponded to a pressure of 30 MPa and temperature of 40 °C at 180 min using methanol as of co-solvent. The maximum yield was obtained by addition of methanol as co-solvent in an amount of 10 %, w/w. The methanol- modified SC-CO2 extraction oil yield was 43 % (w/w) and the oil yield by n-hexane-modified SC-CO2 extraction was 38 %, while the oil yield obtained by pure SC-CO2 extraction was 32 %. Then, the effect of catalysts LAC-NH2 and LAC-N(Et)2 as safe, economical, free-metal, and less time-consuming heterogeneous catalysts was investigated on biodiesel production from extracted oil. The results revealed that the optimum yields of 98 % was obtained for biodiesel production using 2 wt% of LAC-NH2 catalyst at the reaction conditions of oil to methanol ratio of 1:6, reaction temperature of 60 °C, and reaction time of 3 h.

Low-carbon treatment and remediation of oil sludge in mid-to-high latitude regions: A coupled approach of freeze-thaw and supercritical CO2 extraction

The oil sludge produced while extracting large oil and gas fields in the middle and high latitude regions has caused serious pollution to the surrounding soil. The key to solving this problem in the future is to unify the remediation of soil and the treatment of oil sludge. This study uses supercritical carbon dioxide(scCO2) technology to construct a low-carbon method, providing a new approach to achieve this goal. The study determines the optimal extraction conditions for black calcareous soil with 15% oil content to be 55 °C, 25 MPa, and 90 min through single factor and response surface experiments. Experiments on the scCO2 extraction coupled with freeze-thaw cycles show that oil sludge with a water content of 10% can improve the extraction efficiency of scCO2 by about 2.69% after less than five freeze-thaw cycles. The study also compares the extraction efficiency of the four soils, with a difference of 6.03% observed under the same conditions. Additionally, we analyze the impact of the extraction process on changes in the properties of the oil and soil in the oil sludge. Comprehensive tests, including scanning electron microscope (SEM), nutrient detection, X-ray powder diffractometer (XRD), fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and Gas Chromatography (GC), have been conducted. Results show that standalone scCO2 extraction can remove up to 98.2% of petroleum hydrocarbons from the oil sludge, while simultaneously causing small changes to the soil microstructure and the crystal structure of the oil sludge. Furthermore, this process does not lead to a significant depletion of key nutrients or the generation of new pollutants.

Efficient and selective extraction of gold from acidic leaching solutions using novel guanidinium ionic liquid

As gold is a non-renewable resource, it holds both economic and environmental importance to enhance the recycling of precious metal waste from secondary resources. Herein, a guanidine salt ionic liquid ([DIETMG][NTf2]) with low water solubility and viscosity was synthesized by molecular design of guanidine salt ionic liquid with good biocompatibility and biodegradability, and a solvent-free system of [DIETMG][NTf2]-water was constructed to extract Au(Ⅲ). The findings reveal that the extraction efficiency of Au(Ⅲ) can reach 97.57 % under optimal extraction conditions. Further thermodynamic and kinetic studies revealed that the reaction process is spontaneous and exothermic, with the extraction rate being primarily controlled by interfacial chemical reactions. The system demonstrates remarkable selectivity for Au(Ⅲ) in solutions containing a mix of various metal ions. Finally, ascorbic acid (Vc) was employed as a stripping agent to obtain gold at room temperature. After 8 cycles, [DIETMG][NTf2] still achieved a 90% extraction efficiency. This study provides a new idea and method for recovery of gold from secondary resources.

Response surface optimization for supercritical carbon dioxide extraction of Korarima (Aframomum corrorima) seed oil and its antibacterial activity evaluation

Oils extracted from natural plants are valuable resources because of their diverse biocidal activity against microorganisms. This paper reports, for the first time, supercritical CO2 extraction of oil from Korarima (Aframomum corrorima) seeds and its antibacterial activity evaluation. The influences of pressure, temperature, and extraction time on the yield of supercritical CO2-extracted oil (scCO2-extracted oil) were optimized using the Response Surface Methodology. Under the optimal extraction conditions of 46 °C, 15.5 MPa, and 147 min, the extraction yield reached 1.60±0.04 %, consistent with the theoretical value of 1.58 %. The compositions of the scCO2-extracted oil were identified by GC-MS, primarily consisting of nerolidol (33.97–41.20 %), geraniol (23.08–24.50 %), and α-terpinene (8.90–9.06 %). The oil exhibited significant antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus. aureus with a minimum inhibitory concentration of 1 mg·mL−1. This study highlights the potential applications of supercritical CO2 extraction technology for extracting Korarima seed oil and its use as an antibacterial ingredient in cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.

Extraction optimisation and characterisation of Artocarpus integer peel pectin by malonic acid-based deep eutectic solvents using response surface methodology

Traditional pectin extraction methods involve strong acids, which are environmentally harmful. This study explores an innovative approach using Malonic Acid (MA)-based Deep Eutectic Solvents (DES) to extract pectin from Artocarpus integer Peel (AIPP), optimised through Response Surface Methodology (RSM). The extracted AIPP-A and AIPP-B from ChCl-MA and ChDHCit-MA DES, respectively, were characterised for yield, pH, solubility, Degree of Esterification (DE), Water and Oil Holding Capacity (WHC and OHC). The experimental values aligned with RSM model predictions, with low standard deviations: 0.7300 for ChCl-MA and 0.1531 for ChDHCit-MA. Optimal extraction conditions for AIPP-A were 3.27 % ChCl-MA, 1.28 h extraction time, 50.44 °C temperature, and a 1:40 g/mL solid-to-liquid ratio. For AIPP-B, the conditions were 4.95 % ChDHCit-MA, 2.04 h extraction time, 79.65 °C temperature, and a 1:50 g/mL solid-to-liquid ratio. ChCl-MA yielded 30.97 % AIPP, which was higher than that of ChDHCit-MA (27.99 %). Both AIPP demonstrated desirable properties such as low pH, high solubility, and significant DE. AIPP-A exhibited a greater DE (58.40 %) compared to AIPP-B (32.4 %) contributed to its lower WHC and higher OHC. In conclusion, RSM-based optimisation of AIPP extraction with DES is effective in producing pectin that is suitable for use as a gelling agent, preservative, and stabiliser in the food industry.

Flexible and designable metal–organic framework-based electrospun nanofibrous for highly sensitive recognition of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in water samples

In this study, a novel functionalized electrospun nanofibrous material was developed through a straightforward and robust approach that combines polydopamine (PDA) mediation and hydrothermal growth. This material was utilized as a SPME probe for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) analysis. Under optimal extraction conditions, the proposed method exhibited higher enrichment factors (1362–4563) and lower detection limits (0.003–0.35 ng mL−1), with relative standard deviations (RSDs) below 6.7 %. Applied to water samples, the stability and reproducibility of the nanofibrous have been validated with the intra- and inter-assay RSD in 2.3–9.8 % and 1.5–9.9 %, respectively. Acceptable recoveries of 87.1–109.2 % were achieved. Furthermore, the developed SPME-GC method was successfully applied to the analysis of PAHs in water samples.

Polysaccharides from Inonotus obliquus employing subcritical water extraction: Extraction optimization, physiochemical properties and bioactivities analysis

As one of the main components in Inonotus obliquus, polysaccharides was potentially to be developed for the special physiochemical properties and bioactivity. However, the low extraction efficiency of Inonotus obliquus polysaccharides (IOP) significantly hindered the in-depth research and development. To achieve a higher extraction yield of IOP, subcritical water was selected and optimized by Box-Behnken Design (BBD) with a more reasonable yield investigation method in the present study. In addition, for the comparative analysis, the physiochemical properties and bioactivity of the subcritical water extracted polysaccharides (IOP-S), purified polysaccharides (IOP-P) and hot water extracted polysaccharides (IOP-W) were all investigated and analyzed. The results showed that the optimal extraction conditions were 200°C, 13.24 min and 30:1 (mL/g), which corresponded to a polysaccharide yield of 14.14±0.17 %. With simple purified process, the IOP-P with high purity (total sugar content of 87.55 %) was suitable for the further study. Compared to IOP-W, a wider molecular weight range (3.4–98 kDa) of polysaccharide was found in IOP-S, as well as higher sugar and polyphenol content, which might be the main reason for the well antioxidant and digestion enzyme inhibition activity. There were also various differences in the monosaccharide composition, micro-morphology and other physiochemical properties, which all suggested that the subcritical water could efficiently extract a special IOP for the fourthly study and development. In summary, the present study proved that subcritical water extraction could significantly improve the extraction efficiency of IOP, and the basic information in physiochemical properties and bioactivities of IOP would promote the development of IOP in the future.

Natural deep eutectic solvents for efficient recovery of bioactive compounds from by-product of industrial hemp processing: Pretreatment, modeling and optimization

Hempseed hull, an underutilized by-product of the hemp processing industry, is a valuable bio-based material. This study aims to optimize phenolic compound extraction by natural deep eutectic solvents (NADES) with enhanced antioxidant properties (DPPH, FRAP, ABTS). By utilizing a chemometric approach, the research was conducted in three stages: selecting high-extractability NADES, identifying crucial extraction variables via screening, and optimizing conditions using response surface methodology (RSM). Fractional factorial experimental design was employed to identify the important variables, while a face-centered central composite experimental design (CCD) was utilized in combination with response surface methodology (RSM) to determine the optimal extraction conditions. The optimal conditions were found using NADES based on L-proline and lactic acid (1:2 ratio) at 39°C for the liquid-solid ratio, 70°C for temperature, and 135 minutes for extraction time. By optimizing extraction conditions this study contributes to advancing our understanding of hempseed hulls' biochemical composition and its potential as bio-based material.

Extraction of polyphenols from Apocynum venetum leaves using customized deep eutectic solvents: Process optimization and antioxidant evaluation

To encourage the commercial utilization of A. venetum polyphenols as bio-colorant on textile, five different combinations of deep eutectic solvents (DESs) were evaluated using a single-factor approach and the extraction of polyphenols from A. venetum leaves by ultrasound-assisted DESs was optimized. At the same time, the antioxidant activity of polyphenols prepared were investigated. The DESs composed of choline chloride and glycerol with a molar ratio of 1:2 and a water content of 20 % showed higher extraction performance than other DESs and traditional solvents (water, 60 % ethanol and 60 % methanol). With the most effective solvent the maximum yield 8.24 % of polyphenols was obtained under the optimal extraction conditions were as follows: the ratio of liquid volume (mL) to solid mass (g) is 49:1, extraction temperature of 77 ℃, and extraction time of 55 min. In addition, the polyphenols that have been separated and purified from the DESs extract exhibited antioxidant activities in three kinds of assays including 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl stable free radical (DPPH), 2,2’-azino-bis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic) acid free radicals (ABTS) and hydroxyl radical (•OH) scavenging activity. Therefore, this paper demonstrates that DESs are effective and environmentally friendly solvents extraction of antioxidant polyphenols pigments from the leaves of A. venetum.

Optimization and evaluation of biologically active compound with antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties from peony seed meal

Peony seed meal is produced annually on a large scale in China, resulting in considerable solid residue. Unfortunately, most of this residue is discarded, thereby creating environmental pressure. However, the untapped medicinal value of peony seed meal prompted us to establish an efficient methodology for optimizing the extraction and purification of total alkaloid, followed by a detailed analysis of its biological activities. A single-factor experiment and an orthogonal test were used to identify the optimal extraction parameters. Then, further optimization was performed using the response surface methodology. The extract was enriched using D-101 macroporous adsorption resin. Subsequently, silica gel column chromatography was used for separation, and high-performance liquid chromatography was used for further separation and quantification. Meanwhile, gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) was used to identify alkaloid components. Finally, the antibacterial and anti-inflammatory were evaluated. The optimal extraction conditions substantially improved the yield of alkaloids. A total of 15 alkaloids were separated. GC–MS analysis revealed the presence of Sophoridine, which accounted for 91.88 % of the total alkaloid content. The antibacterial activity of the total alkaloid was tested, and the lowest inhibitory concentrations of E. coli ATCC 25922 and S. aureus ATCC 29213 were 0.04516 and 0.05645 mg/mL, respectively. Additionally, total alkaloid had an inhibitory effect on ear swelling induced by xylene and toe swelling induced by egg white, reducing by 80 % and 24 %, respectively. The current research discovered the antibacterial activity of PSM alkaloid, which has important practical significance for the research and development of new plant-derived antibacterial agents.

Fabrication of a 3D Printer Filamnet Extruder

3D printing, an additive manufacturing process, transforms digital designs into physical objects by layering material. This mechanization adds consecutive layers to build up the complete entity, resulting in a 3D object. It develops objects progressively to formulate the preferred look. Filaments are the main component in a die cast model (FDM) 3D printer, these are thermoplastic substances that are injected through a hot die to form the object. These filaments are available in different types such as PLA, ABS, PETG, HDPE each of which has specific characteristics that offer different applications and material options in 3D printing. This paper depicts about fabricating and developing a design of a 3D filament extruder that can produce 1.75 mm diameter filaments from recycled HDPE material. The extruder consists of a motor, a speed controller, a cylinder, a hopper, band heaters, a thermocouple, a temperature controller, a fan, a nozzle and a winder. This system works in the correct temperature range of 350-370 degrees Celsius for melting thermoplastic materials (recycled HDPE). Extruder function is to feed the material from the nozzle into the hot cylinder. A motor screw pushes the metal into the nozzle, where it becomes the filament. This filament is then injected onto a substrate for later use in 3D printing. The temperature is determined using thermocouples and a temperature controller, which ensures optimal extraction conditions. A fan is designed to quickly cool the removed filament. The objective of this research is to create an economical as well as efficient filament to produce high quality filaments. Extruder performance is evaluated based on filament diameter consistency, material penetration and energy efficiency.

The Testing Results of ACORGA, LIX Extractants and CR60 Crud Mitigation Reagent Influence during SX-EW Copper Extraction

Research analysis reveals factors influencing third-phase crud formation and composition during metal extraction, including solution composition, solid suspensions, organic compounds, colloidal compounds (e.g., silicic acid), and extractant purity. Compositional analysis of copper-containing sulfuric acid solutions (1.25 g/dm3 copper) identifies principal sulfate-forming components. Copper extraction was studied using extractants LIX 984N, ACORGA M5774, and M5640 at different ratios of the organic phase to the aqueous O:A (from 1:2 to 1:10). Suppressive impact of 10 vol.% CR60 additive on third-phase crud formation during copper extraction with LIX 984N, ACORGA M5774, and M5640 is analyzed, with ACORGA M5774 being the most effective. Physicochemical analysis characterizes CR60’s active substance as poly(sodium 4-styrenesulfonate) with steel-suppression properties, and its structural formula is determined. Optimal copper extraction conditions establish ACORGA M5640’s 24% efficiency, followed by ACORGA M5774 at 15%. CR60 reduces crud formation, with 5 cm3 of ACORGA CR60 added to sulfuric acid solution reducing interfacial crud formation by 2–3 times. Optimal extraction parameters include 1:2 O:A ratio, 20 ± 5 °C temperature, 5 cm3 CR60 additive, 5 min process duration, and 1-day settling time. ACORGA M5774 (10 vol.% in kerosene) is recommended as an extractant, with 2–3 stages of countercurrent extraction.

Investigating the potential of aqueous enzymatic extraction of safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) seed oil: Process optimization and oil characterization

Safflower seed oil was extracted by aqueous enzymatic extraction (AEE) with a combination of three enzymes: hemicellulase, pectinase, and protease. A Response Surface Methodology (RSM) was performed to optimize the operating conditions: Temperature, pH, and incubation time. Analysis of variance allowed studying the variables' linear, quadratic, and interaction effects. The optimized extraction conditions resulted in 85% oil recovery referring to the conventional Soxhlet extraction (SE). Subsequently, a comparative analysis was conducted to evaluate the quality and composition of oils obtained by SE and AEE. The results revealed that the two oils had similar values of peroxide index, conjugated dienes and trienes, and fatty acid composition. AEE-oil had a lighter yellow color (L* = 31.8 Vs. 24.7) and was richer in polyphenols (147 Vs. 101 mg GAE/Kg of oil), but it was more acidic (2.75% Vs. 1.56% linoleic acid) and less stable (2.86h Vs. 5.66h induction time) with less tocopherol (302 Vs. 409 mg/kg oil) and carotenoid content (0.42 Vs. 0.57 mg/kg oil) than SE-oil. Our findings demonstrated that RSM-based optimization is an efficient and time-saving approach, which significantly improved oil extraction. Finally, we suggested several solutions to further improve the quality and quantity of the obtained AEE-safflower seed oil, paving the path for other future research possibilities.

Optimizing the Extraction of Bioactive Compounds (Polyphenols, Lipids, and Alpha-Tocopherol) from Almond Okara to Unlock Its Potential as Functional Food.

Almond okara, a by-product of almond milk production, is rich in bioactive components, such as polyphenols, lipids, and alpha-tocopherol, making it a valuable functional food ingredient. This work aimed to investigate its composition while exploring two main aspects: (i) the impact of extraction time, solid-to-solvent ratio, ethanol concentration, and temperature on polyphenol recovery, and (ii) the quantification of okara's triglycerides (TG) and alpha-tocopherol contents. The polyphenols' optimal extraction conditions were 90 min, a 1:30 solid-to-solvent ratio (w/v), 50% ethanol, and 60 °C. These conditions achieved a total polyphenol yield of 523 mg GAE, tannin yield of 340 mg GAE, total flavonoid yield of 548 mg CE, and a total antioxidant capacity of 779 mg AAE per 100 g dry okara. The Peleg model effectively described the extraction kinetics. Additionally, TG levels, quantified by UHE/LPSFC-APCI-MS, in okara were comparable to those in almonds, and alpha-tocopherol levels, quantified by LC-UV, were 14,400 µg/100 g in almonds and 15,600 µg/100 g in okara. These findings highlight the potential of okara as a valuable resource, with a straightforward, scalable, and cost-effective solid-liquid extraction (SLE) method for polyphenols and a supercritical fluid extraction method for TG, for use in the functional food, nutraceutical, and cosmetic industries.

Research on the Cell Wall Breaking and Subcritical Extraction of Astaxanthin from Phaffia rhodozyma.

This study focused on developing an effective cell wall-breaking method for Phaffia rhodozyma, followed by utilizing subcritical fluid extraction to isolate, extract, and concentrate astaxanthin from the complex fermentation products of P. rhodozyma. A comprehensive comparison of seven distinct methods for disrupting cell walls, including dimethyl sulfoxide treatment, lactic acid treatment, sodium hydroxide treatment, β-glucanase enzymatic digestion, β-mannanase enzymatic digestion, and a combined enzymatic treatment involving both β-mannanase and β-glucanase was conducted. The results identified the lactic acid method as the most effective in disrupting the cell walls of P. rhodozyma. The software, Design Expert, was used in the process of extracting astaxanthin from cell lysates using a subcritical extraction method. Through fitting analysis and response surface optimization analysis by Design Expert, the optimal extraction conditions were determined as follows: an extraction temperature of 41 °C, extraction frequency of two times, and extraction time of 46 min. These parameters facilitated the efficient extraction, concentration, and enrichment of astaxanthin from P. rhodozyma, resulting in an astaxanthin concentration of 540.00 mg/L. This result can establish the foundation for its high-value applications.