Ultrasound-assisted extraction of phenolic compounds in blackthorn (Prunus spinosa L.): characterization, antioxidant activity and optimization by response surface methodology

In this study, the main chemical composition, the total phenolic content (TPC), the total flavonoid content (TFC), the total anthocyanin content (TAC) and antioxidant activity (TAA) of blackthorn (Prunus spinosa L.) fruit growing wild in Edirne province were determined. Furthermore, the phenolic compounds composition was investigated by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and the mineral composition was performed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). In addition, the aim of the study was to investigate the effects of temperature (20-40 degrees C), time (2-6 min) and amplitude (20-60%) on TPC, TFC, TAC, and TAA of blackthorn during ultrasound-assisted extraction. Response surface methodology using central composite design was used to determine the optimum conditions in ultrasound-assisted extraction of bioactive compounds in blackthorn. The optimum extraction conditions were obtained with temperature 40 degrees C, time 3.592 min, and amplitude of 33.189%. TPC, TFC, TAC, and TAA of blackthorn were found as 3203.31 +/- 4.63 mg GAE kg(-1) FW, 727.41 +/- 4.63 CE kg(-1) FW, 135.09 +/- 0.33 mg cy-3-glu kg(-1) FW, and 19.65 +/- 0.06 mmol TE kg(-1 )FW, respectively, which were consistent with predicted values. The ultrasound-assisted extraction can be considered as an efficient green and practical technique for the recovery of bioactive compounds in blackthorn.