Abstract:
Strawberry tree fruits (Arbutus unedo L.) are a natural source of valuable biologically
active compounds. Therefore, the aim of this work was to develop a green extraction approach
using pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) to provide the highest yield of bioactive compounds.
Different extraction solvents (distilled water, 50% and 96% ethanol) and different PLE parameters
were investigated: temperature (40, 80, and 120 C), static extraction time (5 and 10 min), and number
of cycles (1 and 2). Total phenolic contents (TPC), hydroxycinnamic acids (HCA), flavonols (FL),
total flavonoids (TF), condensed tannins (CT), and antioxidant capacity (DPPH and FRAP) were
determined in PLE extracts. Solvent type, temperature, static extraction time, and number of cycles
had a statistically significant effect on all bioactive compounds and antioxidant capacity (p 0.05).
All bioactive compounds were positively correlated with temperature, except for TPC and DPPH. For
all polyphenols studied, the optimal PLE parameters were a temperature of 120 C, a static extraction
time of 10 min and 2 cycles. The best solvent for most bioactive compounds was 96% ethanol, except
for TPC, for which 50% ethanol was better. This study suggests that PLE is a promising tool to
intensify the extraction of bioactive compounds from strawberry tree fruits.
