Ultrasound-Assisted Green Extraction of Antioxidant Components from Theobroma speciosum Flower Using Natural Deep Eutectic Solvents

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.22533/at.ed.361112504048

• Palavras-chave: .

• Keywords: Ultrasound, NADES, Antioxidant Components.

• Abstract: Background: This study investigates sustainable strategies for the extraction of bioactive compounds from T. speciosum flowers using natural deep eutectic solvents (NADES) as environmentally friendly alternatives to conventional solvents. Methods: Seven NADES systems (ST1 to ST7) were formulated using choline chloride (ChCl) as the hydrogen bond acceptor (HBA) and different hydrogen bond donors (HBD), including citric acid, lactic acid, malic acid, glucose, and glycerol. The solvents were prepared by heating at 50 °C and applying ultrasound at 60% amplitude. The antioxidant capacity of the extracts was evaluated through DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP assays. Results: Most NADES extracts showed enhanced or comparable radical scavenging capacity at lower concentrations than traditional solvents, particularly in the DPPH and ABTS assays, while also demonstrating effective ferric ion reduction in the FRAP assay. The pH was identified as a critical factor influencing extraction efficiency and compound stability, affecting the solubility and interaction between NADES and the target compounds. Among the systems tested, the NADES composed of ChCl and lactic acid (ST2) demonstrated the highest extraction efficiency for phenolic compounds and anthocyanins. Conclusion: NADES represent a sustainable, low-toxicity, and cost-effective alternative for the extraction of natural antioxidants. Their tunable properties and high performance suggest broad potential for application in food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries, contributing to greener and more efficient bioprocesses.