Optimization of ultrasound-assisted extraction of defatted wheat germ proteins by reverse micelles

In this work, an ultrasound-assisted procedure for the extraction of defatted wheat germ proteins by reverse micelles was established. Response surface methodology (RSM) was used to optimize the ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) parameters (ultrasonic output power, ultrasonic time and pulse mode) for enhancing the forward extraction efficiency of defatted wheat germ proteins by implementing a three-level, three-variable Box–Behnken experimental design. The independent variable with the largest effect on response was X2 (ultrasonic time), followed by X1 (ultrasonic output power) and X3 (pulse mode). The optimum extraction conditions were found to be ultrasonic output power 363 W, ultrasonic time 24 min and pulse mode 2.4 s on and 2 s off (2.4 s:2 s). Under these conditions, the forward extraction efficiency of defatted wheat germ proteins can increase from 37% to 57%, and the final protein extraction efficiency by reverse micelles can reach 45.6%, making the advantage of reverse micelles much more obvious than alkaline extraction and isoelectric precipitation on the separation of protein.