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Response surface methodology (RSM) based on a Box–Behnken rotatable design was used to determine the optimum conditions for the microwave-assisted extraction of antioxidant compounds from Pinus elliottii needles. Four process variables were evaluated at three levels (29 experimental conditions): ethanol (50, 70, and 90%), solvent:solute ratio (25:1, 20:1, and 15:1), extraction temperature (60, 70, and 80 °C), and ultrasonic power (100, 150, and 200 W). Using RSM, a quadratic polynomial equation was obtained by multiple regression analysis to predict the optimized extraction protocol. The radical scavenging capacity was determined by O2−, ·OH, and DPPH methods. For the microwave-assisted extraction of antioxidant compounds from Pinus elliottii needles, the optimum process used ethanol at 72%, a solvent:solute ratio of 21:1 mL/g, an extraction temperature of 67 °C, and an ultrasonic power of 200 W. The results indicated good correlation between total polyphenols content and O2−, ·OH, and DPPH radical scavenging activities.

The potential of nine fungal strains for pre-treating Eucommia ulmoides Oliver seed shells (EUOSSs) was investigated. Phanerochaete chrysosporium Burds. was found to be the best fungal strain for pretreating EUOSSs. After co-pre-treatment with acetic acid and P. chrysosporium Burds., which was cultivated in a solid state with an approximately 74% moisture content at 28 °C for 28 d, the weight loss of the EUOSSs was 51.9%. Because of the cooperative efficiency of the biochemical pre-treatment, an enzymatic digestibility value of 86.6% was achieved. The high digestibility value was attributed to the synergism between the acetic acid and fungal treatments, which led to improved enzymatic accessibility of the EUOSSs. As an environmentally friendly processing method, fungal pre-treatment can save a great amount of energy and, in combination with an acetic acid treatment, is more efficient at improving the rate of sugar transformation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Response surface methodology (RSM) based on a Box-Behnken rotatable design was used to determine the optimum conditions for the microwave-assisted extraction of antioxidant compounds from Pinus elliottii needles. Four process variables were evaluated at three levels (29 experimental conditions): ethanol (50, 70, and 90%), solvent:solute ratio (25:1, 20:1, and 15:1), extraction temperature (60, 70, and 80 °C), and ultrasonic power (100, 150, and 200 W). Using RSM, a quadratic polynomial equation was obtained by multiple regression analysis to predict the optimized extraction protocol. The radical scavenging capacity was determined by O2-, ·OH, and DPPH methods. For the microwaveassisted extraction of antioxidant compounds from Pinus elliottii needles, the optimum process used ethanol at 72%, a solvent:solute ratio of 21:1 mL/g, an extraction temperature of 67 °C, and an ultrasonic power of 200 W. The results indicated good correlation between total polyphenols content and O2-, ·OH, and DPPH radical scavenging activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]