Abstract:

The microwave-assisted extraction of seed oil from Phyllanthus emblica L. was optimized employing response
surface methodology. A mathematical model indicating the effect of solid/solvent ratio, microwave power and extraction
duration on oil yield was established. The optimal extraction conditions were found to be 1:9.8 (g/mL) of solid/solvent ratio,
335 W and 12.3 min. Under the optimized conditions, the yield of seed oil from Phyllanthus emblica L. was 17.08% and
increased to 18.76% when the extraction process was repeated once again. GC-MS analysis indicated that the major fatty
acids in the oil were unsaturated fatty acids, together accounting for 80.36% of the total lipids. Linolenic acid accounted for
79.79% of all the identified compounds. A small amount of palmitoleic acid, cis-11-eicosenoic acid and 8 kinds of saturated
fatty acids were also detected. Furthermore a small amount of campesterol, β-sitosterol and vitamin E were also detected.
The fatty acid composition showed the high nutritional value of the oil from Phyllanthus emblica L. seeds.

Key words: microwave-assisted extraction, Phyllanthus emblica L., gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), fatty acid