Abstract: The microwave-assisted extraction of polysaccharides from Panincum miliaceum L. (PPM) was optimized by response surface methodology. One-factor-at-a-time method was used to preliminarily evaluate the effects of microwave treatment time, microwave power and solid/solvent ratio on polysaccharide yield. To investigate their combined effects on the response function, the parameters were used as response variables in a Box-Behnken experimental design and for response surface analysis. The optimal conditions for the extraction of PPM were determined as microwave treatment for 2.7 min at 640 W and 35:1 (mL/g) of solvent/solid ratio. Under these conditions, the actual polysaccharide yield was 9.04%, which showed a relative error of 1.42% compared with the predicted value (9.17%).

Key words: Panincum miliaceum L., polysaccharides, response surface analysis, microwave-assisted extraction