Ultrasound-assisted extraction of bioactive compounds from palm pressed fiber with high antioxidant and photoprotective activities

•Extract with antioxidant activities towards synthetic and biological radicals.•Sun protection factor of 15.01.•Extracts from pressed fiber palm for formulation of natural sunscreen. This work is focused on the optimization of the ultrasound-assisted extraction of antioxidant compounds with photoprotective effect from palm pressed fiber. The influence of ultrasound intensity and pulse cycle was investigated by means of a central composite rotational design. The optimized condition was ultrasound intensity of 120W.cm−2 and pulse factor of 0.4, yielding 3.24wt%. Compounds such as fatty acids, β-sitosterol, α-tocopherol, squalene, total phenolics and carotene were identified. The extract presented antioxidant activity towards synthetic (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl – DPPH, 2,2′-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) – ABTS) and biological radicals (Hydroxyl – OH), besides a sun protection factor of 15.01. Polar extracts from palm pressed fiber are promising candidates for use in cosmetic and pharmaceutical formulation since they present high antioxidant activity towards different radicals, combined with the high sun protection factor.