Optimization of ultrasound-assisted phytomolecules extraction from moringa leaves (Moringa oleifera Lam) using response surface methodology

Abstract

The rising interest in bioactive phyto-compounds, known for their antioxidant, phenolic, and flavonoid properties, has focused attention on Moringa oleifera. With its abundant phyto-molecules, Moringa is a promising source for biomolecule extraction. As a significant vegetable crop, Moringa provides ample nutrients that can be efficiently extracted using novel methodologies. This study aims to optimize ultrasound-assisted extraction from Moringa leaves, considering diverse parameter combinations for improved yield and quality. Ultrasound-assisted extraction, a notable advancement, considers parameters like amplitude, temperature, and extraction time. Employing Response Surface Methodology (RSM) with 20 simulated runs, this investigation assessed extraction yield, Total Phenol Content (TPC), Total Flavonoid Content (TFC), and Radical Scavenging Activity (RSA). The optimized technique yielded an extraction yield of 12.78-23.28%, TPC of 100.12-149.22 mg GAE/g, TFC of 14.43-20.19 mg QE/g, and RSA of 58.87-85.08%. Increased amplitude power, higher extraction temperature, and shorter extraction time contributed to enhanced biomolecule extraction. GC-MS profiling identified various bioactive compounds in the Moringa leaf extracts, showcasing potential applications in nutraceutical industries.

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

Keywords:

• Extraction
• ultrasound-assisted extraction
• biomolecules
• Moringa oleifera
• optimization

REVIEWING EDITOR:

• M. Luisa Escudero-Gilete, Universidad de Sevilla, Spain

SUBJECTS:

• agriculture & environmental sciences
• horticulture
• biotechnology
• food chemistr
• nutrition
• nutraceuticals &
• functional foods
• food engineering

Acknowledgement

Additionally, we would like to thank the Department of Vegetable Science of HC & RI, TNAU, Periyakulam East, Theni for their assistance in organic moringa leaf cultivation and procurement of leaf samples. We would like to express our gratitude to the Department of Spices, Plantation, Medicinal and Aromatic Crops (PSMA), and the Centre for Agricultural Nanotechnology for granting us access to their well-equipped laboratory facilities. The authors express their sincere appreciation to the Researchers Supporting Project Number (RSP2024R398) King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Author contribution

AT: Methodology, Supervision, Project administration, Resources, Data curation; SG: Conceptualization, Writing original draft, Visualization, Investigation; VKR: Resources, Investigation, Review & Editing, Fromal analysis; RA: Writing, Visualization, Validation. MSA: Validation and Funding; SD: Validation, RR: Validation. TM: Editing, Fromal analysis, Validation.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Availability of data and material

The datasets generated and/or analyzed during the research are made available upon a reasonable request from the corresponding author.

Additional information

Funding

The authors express their sincere appreciation to the Researchers Supporting Project Number (RSP2024R398) King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This research was conducted with the support of Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, and no external funding was secured for this study.