Rapid microwave-assisted combined extraction and image-guided purification of Psyllium husk hydrocolloids: Structure,...

This study reports an innovative, rapid microwave-assisted combined extraction method integrated with image-guided purification for extracting Psyllium husk mucilage (PHM). The optimized microwave-assisted water extraction (MWE) approach reduced processing time and conserved energy compared to traditional methods, including hot-water extraction (HWE) and cold-water extraction (CWE). MWE significantly improved mucilage yield (50.23 ± 0.32 % wet basis), and spray drying produced PHM yield (39.55 ± 0.63 %) with a particle size of 427.61 nm. Structural characterization revealed various chemical compounds and linkages. Sugar profiling indicated xylose (58.06 g/100 g) and arabinose (14.31 g/100 g) as major sugars, alongside diverse amino acids. Functional evaluation demonstrated PHM's superior viscosity, excellent emulsifying capability, high water holding capacity, and notable foaming properties. Overall, this sustainable and scalable extraction-purification technique enhances the quality and expands the potential applications of Psyllium husk-derived materials, providing a valuable alternative for industry-scale production.