Optimization by response surface methodology of lutein recovery from paprika leaves using accelerated solvent extraction

• Lutein in paprika leaves was recovered using ASE and quantified using UPLC.
• The ASE conditions were optimized by RSM.
• ASE condition for lutein extraction was optimized with EtOH (79.63%) for 5 min at 93.26 °C.

In this study, we used response surface methodology (RSM) to optimize the extraction conditions for recovering lutein from paprika leaves using accelerated solvent extraction (ASE). The lutein content was quantitatively analyzed using a UPLC equipped with a BEH C18 column. A central composite design (CCD) was employed for experimental design to obtain the optimized combination of extraction temperature (°C), static time (min), and solvent (EtOH, %). The experimental data obtained from a twenty sample set were fitted to a second-order polynomial equation using multiple regression analysis. The adjusted coefficient of determination (R2) for the lutein extraction model was 0.9518, and the probability value (p = 0.0000) demonstrated a high significance for the regression model. The optimum extraction conditions for lutein were temperature: 93.26 °C, static time: 5 min, and solvent: 79.63% EtOH. Under these conditions, the predicted extraction yield of lutein was 232.60 μg/g.