Aqueous Two-Phase System as an Effective Tool for Purification of Phenolic Compounds from Fig Fruits (<i>Ficus carica</i>L.)

Abstract

Fig fruits (Ficus carica L.) are an excellent source of phenolic compounds. However, the presence of free sugars affects the quality of phenolic compounds. In this study, aqueous two-phase system was selected for purification of the phenolic compounds. The optimization of system parameters rendered conditions (ethanol 18% (w/w), K2HPO4 25% (w/w), temperature 10-30ºC, and sample loading 3% (w/w)), under which more than 75% of phenolic compounds and 95% sugars were respectively recovered in the top and bottom phase. Moreover, some specific phenolic compounds content was enhanced and relatively high antioxidant activity was found after the purification process.