Extraction and purification of ferulic acid as an antioxidant from sugar beet pulp by alkaline hydrolysis

Abstract

Extraction  and purification of ferulic acid from sugar- beet pulp is  carried out  adopting alkaline hydrolysis (NaOH) method where the effects of parameters on extraction are assessed. Quantification of ferulic acid in alkaline extract and precipitates are made  through HPLC and FT-IR methods.  Time, temperature and NaOH concentrations are the most significant factors influencing ferulic acid extracton and severe alkali concentration  has a negative dissociation effect on the ferulic acid content for all temperature/time conditions. The optimal conditions for extraction time,temperature and NaOH concentration are  (12h, 41?C, and 2M), respectively. The FT-IR spectrum of precipitate in purification method proved that the isolated compound is the ferulic acid. The antioxidant activity of isolated ferulic acid is evaluated through ABTS method and indicate that sugar-beet pulp is a potent source of ferulic acid which can  be extracted and consumed as an antioxidant.