Towards the industrial production of antioxidants from food processing by-products with ultrasound-assisted extraction

Apple pomace, a by-product of the cider production, has been studied as a potential source of polyphenols, compounds of great interest for the industry. Ultrasound has been used to improve extraction efficiency in terms of time needed and total polyphenol content. A preliminary study has been first investigated to optimize ethanol proportion of aqueous extractant (50%, v/v) and solid/liquid ratio (<15%, w/v). A response surface methodology has then been used to maximize total polyphenol content of extracts and investigate influence of parameters involved in extraction procedures for both total polyphenols content and composition of extracts. Optimal settings reached from a central composite design were applied for ultrasound-assisted extraction and were compared to conventional procedure: yields were increased by more than 20%. Ultrasound-assisted polyphenols extraction from apple pomace appears to be a relevant, rapid, sustainable alternative to conventional procedure, and that scale up of the process is possible.