Box–Behnken experimental design for investigation of microwave-assisted extracted sugar beet pulp pectin

Optimization of conditions for sugar beet pulp pectin (SBPP) extraction was investigated using response surface methodology (RSM). The average molecular weight (Mv¯) of twenty-nine SBPP samples was determined by viscometry. The relationships between four variables and two responses were studied using Box–Behnken experimental design. The constructed models were adequate to explain the relationships between independent variables and responses. All studied factors had great influence on the yield. The satisfactory conditions for SBPP extraction were obtained as follows: 152.63 W of power, 3.53 min of time, 1.57 of pH of sulfuric and 18.92 of SLR. Among the studied factors, pH of sulfuric acid had the greatest influence on Mv¯.

► Microwave-assisted extraction by response surface methodology was studies.
► Combined effects of the variables on the yield were studied.
► Combined effects of the variables on the molecular weight were studied.
► The effects between variables and responses were investigated.