Optimization of polysaccharide extraction from pumpkin seeds using ultrasonic-assisted enzymatic method

[Display omitted] •Simple method extracts polysaccharides, aligns with green chemistry, supports industry.•Converts pumpkin waste to products, enabling circular resource utilization.•Enzyme-ultrasound extraction raised polysaccharide yield to 43.65 %. This study aimed to optimize the extraction process of polysaccharides from seed pumpkins. Following initial single-factor experiments, the extraction process using ultrasonic-assisted enzymatic method was optimized through orthogonal experiments. Further optimization of extraction conditions was conducted using response surface methodology with Box-Behnken design, ultimately identifying the optimal extraction parameters. Additionally, 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay, monosaccharide component analysis, polysaccharide molecular weight measurement, and NMR analysis were performed. Results indicated that ultrasonic-assisted enzymatic extraction significantly enhanced the yield of polysaccharide, reaching up to 43.65 %. The findings confirm that the combined use of enzymatic hydrolysis and ultrasonication is an effective strategy for polysaccharide extraction.