A research on antioxidant activity evaluation of waste lignocellulosic biomass: optimization using response surface methodology

Abstract

In the present study, lignocellulosic biomass such as corn straw and sorghum were used as raw materials for a new, abundant, low-cost and natural antioxidant source to use in foods or medicinal materials as replacements for synthetic antioxidants such as butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT). The effect of extraction temperature, extraction time, solvent volume on extraction yield, total phenol content and antioxidant activity were investigated and the results obtained by response surface methodology (RSM) were evaluated. Linear and quadratic models were revealed as a result of experiments. The fit of these models with predictions results were tested and optimal condition parameters were investigated. It was seen that different results were obtained because of structural differences between corn straw and sorghum. These results showed that the extraction temperature was the main positive linear effect on extraction yield. The solvent volume and temperature were found to important model terms for total phenol content. For antioxidant activity, the solvent volume was the main linear effect for sorghum where as it has a quadratic effect for corn straw biomass.