In: Phyton 60, Fasc. (2020): S. 1-9 DOI: 10.12905/0380.phyton60-2020-0001; Published online on 23 November 2020

Optimization of parameters for microwave-assisted extraction of phenolics and flavonoids from Euphorbia hirta by response surface methodology

Nadia Ghaffar, Sumera Javad, Muhammad Akhyar Farrukh,
Iqra Akhtar & Amina Tariq
with 4 figures and 5 tables

Key words: Microwave assisted extraction, phenolics, flavonoids, response surface methodology, Euphorbia hirta.

Summary
Ghaffar N., Javad S., Farrukh M. A., Akhtar I. & Tariq A. 2020. Optimization of parameters for microwave-assisted extraction of phenolics and flavonoids from Euphorbia hirta by response surface methodology. – Phyton (Horn, Austria) 60: 1–9, with 4 figures and 5 tables.*
In the present study, the impact of microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) was optimized for the recovery of phenolic and flavonoid compounds from Euphorbia hirta. Face-centered Central Composite Design was used to optimize the extraction conditions with three factors using response surface methodology. Factors used for study were microwave power level (300–900 W), time of extraction (2–7 min) and solvent to plant material ratio (10–30 mL/g). The study was carried out with two response factors, i.e., total phenolics content (TPC) and total flavonoids content (TFC). Optimal conditions of MAE factors for extraction of TPC and TFC from Euphorbia hirta were derived statistically from optimized responses, and were calculated as 600 W (microwave power level), 4 min (extraction time) and 20 mL/g solvent to plant material ratio. Under these optimum extraction conditions, maximum levels of responses were a TPC of 438 mg of gallic acid equivalent/g and a TFC of 756 mg quercetin equivalent/g. Actual values and predicted values were found to be very close.