Ultrasound-Assisted Anthocyanins Extraction from Pigmented Corn: Optimization Using Response Surface Methodology

This study aimed to determine the optimal UAE conditions for extracting anthocyanins from pigmented corn using the Box–Behnken design (BBD). Six anthocyanins were identified in the samples and were used as response variables to evaluate the effects of the following working variables: extraction solvent pH (2–7), temperature (10–70 °C), solvent composition (0–50% methanol in water), and ultrasound power (20–80%). The extraction time (5–25 min) was evaluated for complete recovery. Response surface methodology suggested optimal conditions, specifically 36% methanol in water with pH 7 at 70 °C using 73% ultrasound power for 10 min. The method was validated with a high level of accuracy (>90% of recovery) and high precision (CV < 5% for both repeatability and intermediate precision). Finally, the proposed analytical extraction method was successfully applied to determine anthocyanins that covered a wide concentration range (36.47–551.92 mg kg−1) in several pigmented corn samples revealing potential varieties providing more health benefits.