Optimization of Extraction Process for Total Flavonoids from Apple Pericarps by Response Surface Methodology

The extraction of total flavonoids from apple pericarps was optimized using response surface methodology.The effects of temperature,ethanol concentration,solid-to-solvent ratio and extraction time on the extraction efficiency of total flavonoids were investigated by one-factor-at-a-time method before optimization and a quadratic polynomial model was established and validated to be highly significant and allow the prediction of the extraction efficiency of total flavonoids. Ethanol concentration was found to have the most important effect on the extraction efficiency of total flavonoids followed by temperature,extraction time and solid-to-solvent ratio.The optimum conditions for the extraction of total flavonoids were 65%ethanol as the extraction solvent at a solid-to-solvent ratio of 1:45(g/mL),45℃and 210 min.Under these conditions, the xtraction efficiency of total flavonoids was 3.52%.