Optimization of Phenolic- and Saponin-Enriched Extraction From Pandanus tectorius Fruit Using Box-Behnken Design and...

Pandanus tectorius fruits are a promising but underutilized source of bioactive constituents. We optimized extraction conditions for phenolic- and saponin-enriched fractions using Box-Behnken/response surface methodology across ethanol concentration, temperature, solvent-to-material ratio, and time and then evaluated antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Total phenolic content (TPC; Folin-Ciocalteu, 760 nm) and total saponin content (TSC; vanillin-sulfuric acid, 560 nm) served as responses for model fitting (R ² > 0.96), validation, and multiresponse optimization that yielded seven distinct optimums targeting different extract profiles. Phenolic-rich extracts showed potent DPPH and hydroxyl radical scavenging, whereas saponin-rich extracts more strongly inhibited LPS-induced nitric oxide in RAW 264.7 cells; excessive saponin enrichment, however, coincided with cytotoxicity. These results demonstrate that tuned extraction can deliver purpose-built extracts for antioxidant or anti-inflammatory applications, supporting the valorization of P. tectorius as a natural source for functional and nutraceutical ingredients.