Optimization of Ultrasonic-Assisted Extraction From Chicory Root Via Orthogonal Design.

Chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) is a perennial herb that has been used as forage for livestock in many parts of the world. As forage, it produces a large quantity of high quality feed in the warm season under favorable conditions. It is popular cultivated in Europe and North America with many commercial uses, the roots are dried and roasted and used as a coffee substitute. Unlike most forage crops, it is an herb rather than either a grass or a legume. For its special chemical compositions and physiological bioactivities, natural products extraction from chicory has been preparing and developing for natural medicine (drugs), salubrious beverages, functional foods and additives. Ultrasound-assisted extraction is one of effective method for extracting from plant. In this study, mixed orthogonal array designed was applied for optimization conditions of ultrasound-assisted extraction from chicory roots. Eight conditional factors were concerned with mixed orthogonal array (L16(43¡Á26)) design, and it was demonstrated that, via analysis of variance, the orthogonal technique was successful after the data analysis in this study. The results showed that the importance of the eight factors was orderly as: ethanol concentration > impregnation times > ultrasound time > ultrasound power > impregnation time > ultrasound temperature > solvent-to-solid ratio > ultrasound time, and the influence on chicory roots crude extract ratios were all remarked significant. Through mixed orthogonal design to do optimizing and the optimal conditions consisted of 0% ethanol concentration, 8:1(ml/g) the ratio of the solvent to chicory roots, ultrasound temperature 65¡æ, impregnating 24h, impregnating 2 times, ultrasound extracting 30min, ultrasound power of 400w, and ultrasound extracting 2 times. In addition, our experiment proved that the effect of ultrasound was obvious, and mixed orthogonal design was a useful method for optimizing conditions in industrial production.