Optimization of phenolics and antioxidants extraction from Centaurium erythraea using response surface methodology

In recent years, Centaurium erythraea extracts have attracted much research attention in the context of prevention or treatment of many diseases due to its bioactive compounds content and antioxidant activity. The antioxidants of C. erythraea are very effective as they possess excellent antioxidant activity. Thus, it can be used as a safe and natural food preservative. The aim of this study is to make extracts more effective by optimizing the extraction conditions of the phenolics and antioxidants from C. erythraea using response surface methodology (RSM) based on a central composite design (CCD). Two process variables (Methanol volume fraction and solid - solvent ratio) were evaluated at five levels (13 experimental designs). Multiple regression analyses were performed to obtain quadratic polynomial equations using RSM; each response was fitted by a quadratic model. The adequacy of the models was proven using the analysis of variance (ANOVA). The significant effects of the factors and their interactions on the extraction efficiency were investigated at 95% confidence interval. RSM indicated that the optimal extraction conditions were 71% methanol volume fraction and 2.2:10 solid:solvent ratio. Predicted values thus obtained were close to the experimental values indicating suitability of the model.