Ultrasound-assisted extraction of natural antioxidants from betel leaves (<i>Piper betle</i>): Extraction kinetics and modeling

Abstract

Present study investigated the extraction kinetics of antioxidants from Piper betle by ultrasound-assisted extraction for three extraction variables: temperature, solute to solvent ratio and ethanol concentration. Based on the results of yield, total phenolic content and antioxidant activity, the optimum results were obtained at 50°C, 1:20 g/mL and 80% ethanol, respectively. Statistical coefficients of R2 ≥ 0.961 and RMSE ≤ 0.508 for two-site kinetic model confirm the use of proposed models for simulation and prediction purpose. Comparison with ascorbic acid and butylated hydroxytoluene solidifies the use of Piper betle as feasible source of natural antioxidants. The presence of hydroxychavicol and eugenol was affirmed by high-performance liquid chromatography assay.