Acetogenin content from soursop fruit (Annona muricata L.) seeds: Evaluation of different extraction conditions

The objective was to evaluate the effect of soursop seeds acetogenins (ACGs) extraction methods, using different solvents, methods, and the number of extractions. The work was carried out in four trials. In the first trial, seven solvents (methanol, ethyl acetate, dichloromethane, chloroform, diethyl ether, hexane, and petroleum ether) were evaluated to extract ACGs from seeds by ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE). In the second trial, UAE, soxhlet method, and solvents were compared to obtain ACGs from defatted seeds. In the third trial, the effect of solvents and the number of extractions by UAE on the content of ACGs in defatted endosperm was evaluated. In the fourth trial, ACGs were identified. The highest presence of ACGs was observed in extracts obtained from defatted whole seeds with methanol and ethyl acetate. UAE extracted more ACGs from the defatted whole seed. However, the highest ACG content (25.14 mg/g dry basis) was obtained using the defatted endosperm, UEA, and five extractions with methanol for 50 min each. Two ACGs were identified (annonacin and pseudoannonacin) in proportion 73:27. The latter conditions are an alternative to increasing the extraction yield of ACGs from A. muricata seeds.