Extraction of (+)-catechin from oak (Quercus spp.) bark: Optimization of pretreatment and extraction conditions.

Oaks (Quercus L., Fagaceae) are a widespread tree species worldwide, and in Hungary they account for nearly 30 % of the forests. Their wood is valuable, but their bark is considered as a by-product. Oak bark, available in large quantities but with no dedicated use, contains a significant amount of valuable extractives. Its (+)-catechin content is around 1 %. (+)-Catechin is mostly used for food industry, medicine and many other industrial purposes, representing a significant financial value. The aim of the present research was to compare the (+)-catechin concentrations in the bark of the most important oak species found in Hungary and to optimize sample pretreatment (conservation) and extraction methods in order to achieve fast and efficient extraction. From these species the highest concentrations were measured in Q. robur and Q. robur ssp. slavonica (8-12 mg (+)-catechin/g dry bark). The combination of microwave sample pretreatment and microwave assisted extraction proved to be the most time- and cost-effective method. The utilization of the extracted bark powder for energetic purposes requires further investigations.

Direct microwave treatment enhances antioxidant and antibacterial properties of the seed extracts of Kékfrankos grapes.

The Kékfrankos is the most frequently cultivated wine grape in Hungary, with a significant national and regional impact, resulting in considerable amounts of byproducts (e.g. pomace, seeds). To the best of our knowledge no research has been conducted on the antioxidant and antibacterial properties of its seed extracts (GSE). A novel apporach of applying direct microwave treatment on grape seeds was implemented for the first time to enhance antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of GSE. Antioxidant properties were assayed using the DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl), FRAP (Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power) and TPC (Folin-Ciocâlteu's Total Polyphenol Content) methods. Profile and content of polyphenols was studied using high-performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry. Antibacterial properties were evaluated using Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus (SA), methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (ST239) (MRSA) and Gram-negative Escherichia coli (EC) bacteria strains. Results proved that the mild direct microwave treatment of grape seeds significantly increased total polyphenol, (+)-catechin, (-)-epicatechin as well as antioxidant capacity levels by 20-30 % compared to untreated samples and resulted the best antibacterial properties based on bacterial growth curves (SA and MRSA: 0.015625 mg/mL, EC: 0.25 mg/mL). Results justify the importance of further pharmacological investigations on Kékfrankos grape seed extracts and that the direct microwave treatment of grape seeds is an innovative approach for the fast and cost efficient improvement of the antibacterial properties of grape seed extracts.

Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction of Cannabinoids from Cannabis Sativa L. Optimized by Response Surface Methodology.

Ultrasonication was used to extract bioactive compounds from Cannabis sativa L. such as polyphenols, flavonoids, and cannabinoids. The influence of 3 independent factors (time, input power, and methanol concentration) was evaluated on the extraction of total phenols (TPC), flavonoids (TF), ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP) and the overall yield. A face-centered central composite design was used for statistical modelling of the response data, followed by regression and analysis of variance in order to determine the significance of the model and factors. Both the solvent composition and the time significantly affected the extraction while the sonication power had no significant impact on the responses. The response predictions obtained at optimum extraction conditions of 15 min time, 130 W power, and 80% methanol were 314.822 mg GAE/g DW of TPC, 28.173 mg QE/g DW of TF, 18.79 mM AAE/g DW of FRAP, and 10.86% of yield. A good correlation was observed between the predicted and experimental values of the responses, which validated the mathematical model. On comparing the ultrasonic process with the control extraction, noticeably higher values were obtained for each of the responses. Additionally, ultrasound considerably improved the extraction of cannabinoids present in Cannabis. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Low frequency ultrasound was employed to extract bioactive compounds from the inflorescence part of Cannabis. The responses evaluated were-total phenols, flavonoids, ferric reducing assay and yield. The solvent composition and time significantly influenced the extraction process. Appreciably higher extraction of cannabinoids was achieved on sonication against control.

The high-performance liquid chromatography/multistage electrospray mass spectrometric investigation and extraction optimization of beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) bark polyphenols.

The aim of the present work was the high-performance liquid chromatographic separation and multistage mass spectrometric characterization of the polyphenolic compounds of beech bark, as well as the extraction optimization of the identified compounds. Beech is a common and widely used material in the wood industry, yet its bark is regarded as a by-product. Using appropriate extraction methods these compounds could be extracted and utilized in the future. Different extraction methods (stirring, sonication, microwave assisted extraction) using different solvents (water, methanol:water 80:20 v/v, ethanol:water 80:20 v/v) and time/temperature schedules have been compared basing on total phenol contents (Folin-Ciocâlteu) and MRM peak areas of the identified compounds to investigate optimum extraction efficiency. Altogether 37 compounds, including (+)-catechin, (-)-epicatechin, quercetin-O-hexoside, taxifolin-O-hexosides (3), taxifolin-O-pentosides (4), B-type (6) and C-type (6) procyanidins, syringic acid- and coumaric acid-di-O-glycosides, coniferyl alcohol- and sinapyl alcohol-glycosides, as well as other unknown compounds with defined [M-H](-) m/z values and MS/MS spectra have been tentatively identified. The choice of the method, solvent system and time/temperature parameters favors the extraction of different types of compounds. Pure water can extract compounds as efficiently as mixtures containing organic solvents under high-pressure and high temperature conditions. This supports the implementation of green extraction methods in the future. Extraction times that are too long and high temperatures can result in the decrease of the concentrations. Future investigations will focus on the evaluation of the antioxidant capacity and utilization possibilities of the prepared extracts.