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Phytochemical Recovery from Purple Carrot Peels: Optimization and Characterization
Alexandra Teodora Gheorghe Mărtin1, Oana Emilia Constantin1, Elisabeta-Irina Geană2
1Department of Food Science, Engineering and Applied Biotechnology, Faculty of Food Science and Engineering, Dunarea de Jos University of Galati, 111 Domnească Street, 800201 Galati, Romania.
Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
|July 15, 2026
Summary
Optimizing solvent extraction of purple carrot peels maximizes bioactive compounds like anthocyanins and polyphenols. This sustainable method efficiently recovers antioxidants for natural food colorants and health applications.
Area of Science:
- Agricultural Chemistry
- Food Science
- Phytochemistry
Background:
- Agro-industrial by-products like purple carrot peels are rich in valuable phytochemicals.
- Valorization of vegetable processing residues is crucial for sustainability and resource efficiency.
- Recovery of bioactive compounds from by-products offers potential for natural colorants and antioxidants.
Purpose of the Study:
- To optimize solvent extraction parameters for maximizing total anthocyanin content (TAC), total polyphenol content (TPC), and antioxidant activity (AA) from purple carrot peels.
- To identify optimal conditions for temperature, extraction time, ethanol concentration, and pH.
- To validate the predictive capability of response surface methodology for extraction optimization.
Main Methods:
- Solvent extraction process utilizing a Central Composite Design and response surface methodology.
- Evaluation of four extraction parameters: temperature, time, ethanol concentration, and pH.
- Analysis of total anthocyanin content (TAC), total polyphenol content (TPC), and antioxidant activity (AA) using established assays.
- Characterization of phenolic compounds using UHPLC-MS/MS.
Main Results:
- Optimal extraction conditions determined as pH 4, 50% ethanol, 80 °C, and 35.88 min.
- Achieved experimental values closely matched predicted values for TAC, TPC, and AA.
- Identified 32 phenolic compounds, with shikimic acid being dominant.
- Demonstrated significant enhancement in extraction efficiency through parameter optimization.
Conclusions:
- Optimized solvent extraction effectively recovers bioactive compounds from purple carrot peels.
- Purple carrot peels are a cost-effective source of natural pigments and antioxidants.
- The developed methodology supports sustainable valorization of agro-industrial by-products for the food industry.
