Microwave-assisted extraction of β-sitosterol from cocoa shell waste

Abstract

Phytosterol from cocoa shell can be reused in food industries in order to add value of the agricultural waste. Its extraction from the cocoa shell using ethanol can be assisted by using microwave for effective heating. This study was carried out to delineate the effect of temperature, power and radiation time of the microwave onto the extraction of β-sitosterol, as the key phytosterol, from the cocoa shell of Theobroma cacao L. species using absolute ethanol. Salkowski test, IR spectra and GC-MS analyses confirmed the presence of β-sitosterol and a flame-ionization-detector gas chromatography was employed to measure its concentration. Based on the one-factor-at-a-time (OFAT) approach, the maximum yield was obtained 13% higher than the yield of conventional maceration, i.e. 3546.1 mg/100g, at the optimum values of 70°C, 500 W and 10 min. Solubility and boiling point of ethanol onto extraction at various extraction temperatures probably caused the differences.

In-Vitro Screenings for Biological and Antioxidant Activities of Water Extract from Theobroma cacao L. Pod Husk: Potential Utilization in Foods

“…In T. cacao, beta-sitosterol has been reported to be found in its seed [45,46]. Moreover, the presence of this phytosterol has been found in cocoa pod husk obtained with microwave-assisted extraction [16]. The compound itself has been closely associated with antioxidants and thus can be utilized as an antihyperglycemic [47,48], antidiabetic [49], antidepressant, and anticonvulsant agent [50].…”

“…Previously, researchers had investigated cocoa pod husk using various solvents, such as methanol:acetone [9], ethyl acetate [10], and n-hexane solvents [11]. Its extraction had also been conducted with the Soxhlet technique [15] and microwave-assisted techniques [16]. Despite many published studies reporting on cocoa pod husk, its aqueous extract along with partition method is scarcely investigated.…”

Major Phytochemicals: Recent Advances in Health Benefits and Extraction Method

“…The lowest phytosterol yield (21%) was obtained with SFE at 100 bar. Ibrahim et al [ 217 ] studied the MAE extraction of β-sitosterol from cocoa ( Theobroma cacao ) shell waste. The extraction was carried out using a 100 g sample with 300 mL, 99% ethanol in the sample to solvent ratio of 1:3 at 500 W and 70 °C for 10 min.…”

Bioactive Compounds from Cocoa Husk: Extraction, Analysis and Applications in Food Production Chain

“…As such, their extraction from plants has been largely focused on obtaining and utilizing them for various health products [34]. In an attempt, the optimum extraction conditions for β-sitosterol (a phytosterol) from cocoa shells were determined under MAE conditions using absolute ethanol [21]. The effect of temperature, microwave power, and radiation time was determined, and the optimum extraction condition was recorded as 70 • C, 500 W, and 10 min, respectively.…”