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Optimization of Microwave-Assisted Extraction of Phytosterol from Mulberry Root Bark by Response Surface Methodology

XU Yan-yang,CAI Sen-sen,SONG Yan-ling,LI Ke-jing   

  1. College of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, Jilin University, Changchun 130022, China
  • Online:2013-09-25 Published:2013-09-27

Abstract:

This study was undertaken to optimize the microwave-assisted extraction of phytosterol from the root bark of
mulberry (Morus alba L.) by response surface methodology. The yield of phytosterol was investigated with respect to three
variables including microwave output power, irradiation time and solvent-to-solid ratio. As a result, a regression equation
was fitted. The optimal conditions for phytosterol extraction were a solvent-to-solid ratio of 35:1 (mL/g) and microwave
irradiation for 41 s with an output power of 539 W. The yield of phytosterol under the optimized conditions was (7.74 ± 0.12)
mg/g, showing a relative error of -4.21% compared with the predicted value and increases of 1.57% and 19.07% over those
obtained by solvent extraction and ultrasonic-assisted extraction. Moreover, the extraction time was considerably shortened
by using microwave-assisted extraction in comparison with the other two methods.

Key words: mulberry root bark, phytosterol, microwave-assisted extraction, response surface methodology, optimization