OPTIMIZATION OF EXTRACTION PARAMETERS FOR PHENOLIC COMPOUNDS AND ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY FROM ARATICUM PEEL

The araticum is a native fruit of the Brazilian Cerrado, greatly appreciated by the local population. Its peel accounts for approximately 40% of the total weight, leading to the generation of a significant amount of byproducts after consumption or processing. Furthermore, the peel is a valuable source of bioactive compounds, such as phenolics and alkaloids, potentially serving as a raw material for obtaining high-value compounds applicable in the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries. However, understanding the extraction process parameters' effects is crucial to effectively recover phenolic compounds from araticum peel. This study aimed to optimize the extraction parameters to maximize the recovery of total phenolic compounds from araticum peel using the response surface methodology. A central composite rotatable design (CCRD) was elaborate, encompassing 17 experiments (3 central points, 6 axial points, and 8 factorial points). The independent variables in the extraction process using an ultrasound bath included solid-liquid ratio (SLR, 10-100 mg/mL), extraction time (5-45 minutes), and ethanol concentration (20-80%, v/v), while the dependent variables were: total phenolics (Folin-Ciocalteu) and antioxidant activity (ABTS and ORAC assays). After model evaluation, the optimized conditions were determined as follows: SLR of 10 mg/mL, extraction time of 5 minutes, and ethanol concentration of 50%. In these conditions, it was possible to predict a total phenolic content of 68.47 mg GAE/g dw, along with antioxidant activities of 677.04 µmol TE/g dw and 1699.38 µmol TE/g dw for the ABTS and ORAC assays, respectively. This predicts that araticum peel contains a high level of phenolic compounds and elevated antioxidant activity. The proposed extraction conditions highlight the viability of successfully recovering a substantial amount of total phenolics and antioxidants by using a green technique, underscoring the importance of studying extraction parameters to maximize the extraction of bioactive compounds while aiming for a more cost-effective and eco-friendly analysis.