Ultrasound-assisted extraction of D-pinitol from carob pods using Response Surface Methodology

This study reports on the optimization of the conditions of extraction of D-pinitol compound from carob pods by using ultrasonication. For this purpose, the Box-Behnken design, which is a widely used form of Response Surface Methodology, was used to investigate the effects of parameters on the ultrasound-assisted extraction. Four independent variables, temperature (°C), ultrasonic power (W), dilution rate (material:water ratio) and time (min), were studied. The results showed that the highest D-pinitol concentration of 11.98 g/L was obtained with an extraction temperature of 50 °C, ultrasonic power of 207 W, a dilution rate of 1:4 and an extraction time of 120 min. It was found that the D-pinitol concentration of carob extract increased with the effect of ultrasonication during the extraction process. Therefore, ultrasound-assisted extraction could be used as an alternative to conventional hot water extraction with respect to the recovery of D-pinitol from carob pods with the advantages of lower extraction temperatures, shorter extraction time and reduced energy consumption.