Supercritical fluid extraction of Prunus persica leaves and utilization possibilities as a source of phenolic compounds

• Prunus persica leaves were extracted with supercritical CO2 and ethanol mixture.
• An experimental design was used to optimize the process conditions.
• Supercritical CO2 extracts were analyzed regarding their total phenol content and radical scavenging activity.
• Total phenol content was 79.92 mg GAE/g and RSA was 53.25% at optimum conditions.
• Supercritical CO2 extracts of Prunus persica leaves proved to have higher antioxidant activity than conventional extracts.

Mediterranean countries contribute highly on world peach production and tonnes of waste leaves are released due to pruning. The aim of this study was to investigate the utilization possibilities of the leaves by supercritical fluid extraction. A statistical design was used to evaluate the effect of temperature (40–80 °C), pressure (150–300 bar) and concentration of ethanol as co-solvent (6–20%) at a flow rate of 15 g/min and for a duration of 60 min. The most effective variables were found as pressure and co-solvent ratio (p < 0.005). Optimum extraction conditions were elicited as 60 °C, 150 bar and 6% co-solvent yielding a total phenol content of 79.92 mg GAE/g extract, EC50 value of 232.20 μg/ml and a radical scavenging activity of 53.25% which was higher than the value obtained by conventional solvent extraction method (32.23%). Consequently, Prunus persica L. leaves were found as a potential phenolic source for industrial applications.

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