Abstract: This study was undertaken to optimize the ultrasonic-assisted extraction of CoQ10 from peanuts using orthogonal array design. Ultrasonic power was identified as the most important factor affecting extraction efficiency, followed by total ultrasonic treatment time and single working time/intermittent time; and water amount had the smallest effect on extraction efficiency. The optimal process conditions for extracting CoQ10 from 20 g of dried peanuts were determined as total ultrasonic treatment time of  45 min, ultrasonic power of 300 W, working/intermittent time of 7.5 s/5.0 s and water amount of 400 mL. The extraction yield of coenzyme Q10 reached up to 461μg/g under these conditions.

Key words: peanut, CoQ10, ultrasonic-assisted extraction, orthogonal array design