Design of Experiments for Optimizing Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction of Bioactive Compounds from Plant-Based Sources

Abstract

Plant-based materials are an important source of bioactive compounds (BC) with interesting industrial applications. Therefore, adequate experimental strategies for maximizing their recovery yield are required. Among all procedures for extracting BC (maceration, Soxhlet, hydro-distillation, pulsed-electric field, enzyme, microwave, high hydrostatic pressure, and supercritical fluids), the ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) highlighted as an advanced, cost-efficient, eco-friendly, and sustainable alternative for recovering BC (polyphenols, flavonoids, anthocyanins, and carotenoids) from plant sources with higher yields. However, the UAE efficiency is influenced by several factors, including operational variables and extraction process (frequency, amplitude, ultrasonic power, pulse cycle, type of solvent, extraction time, solvent-to-solid ratio, pH, particle size, and temperature) that exert an impact on the molecular structures of targeted molecules, leading to variations in their biological properties. In this context, a diverse design of experiments (DOEs), including full or fractional factorial, Plackett–Burman, Box-Behnken, Central composite, Taguchi, Mixture, D-optimal, and Doehlert have been investigated alone and in combination to optimize the UAE of BC from plant-based materials, using the response surface methodology and mathematical models in a simple or multi-factorial/multi-response approach. The present review summarizes the advantages and limitations of the most common DOEs investigated to optimize the UAE of bioactive compounds from plant-based materials.

Screening factors to affect ultrasound-assisted extraction of (poly)phenols from date palm seeds

“…Seven factors were studied: ethanol concentration, liquid:solid ratio (mL/g), kind of sonotrode, amplitude (%), extraction time, extractant pH, and extraction cycle. The studied factors were selected based on preliminary works in our laboratory (data not shown) and consulting bibliography ( Ciğeroğlu et al, 2018 ; Chen et al, 2020 ; Anaya-Esparza et al, 2023 ). The studied runs are given in Table 1 .…”

“…However, optimizing UAE conditions is necessary to minimize the extraction time, solvent consumption, and costs while maximizing efficiency to achieve extracts rich in bioactive compounds with high purity. Moreover, the designs of experiments, such as factorial designs and Plackett–Burman, for screening multiple factors efficiently, or Box–Behnken design, for exploring the intricate relationships between variables, are considered good strategies for carrying out optimization processes ( Anaya-Esparza et al, 2023 ).…”

Ultrasound-assisted innovations in protein processing: review

“…This increased efficiency is combined with decreased solvent use, which aligns with sustainable standards and contributes to an environmentally benign extraction process [31]. Furthermore, the simplicity of ultrasound-assisted extraction equipment reduces maintenance costs compared to previous methods, highlighting its cost-effectiveness [39]. Beyond extraction efficiency, research has shown that it can increase proteins' physical, structural, and functional characteristics, including solubility, stability, and biological activity.…”

Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction of Bioactive Compounds from Broccoli By-Products

“…In this sense, broccoli leaves have also been shown to be source of GLS, as identified by Ares et al [22], although at a lower concentration than other broccoli tissues [23]. Also, other technologies such as pulsed electric fields have been useful in optimizing the extraction of bioactive compounds [24]. Furthermore, a short microwave-assisted extraction pretreatment, which increased the temperature, favored SFN extraction due to the inactivation of the myrosinase enzymes and GLS-SFN conversion.…”