Optimization of ultrasound-assisted extraction of cyanidin 3-rutinoside from litchi (Lichi chinensis Sonn.) fruit pericarp

Cyanidin 3-rutinoside is an important anthocyanin which has good antioxidant activity and beneficial health effects. It was prepared from litchi fruit pericarp by ultrasound-assisted extraction and purified in this work. A mathematical model was built between ultrasonic power, time, ethanol concentration and cyanidin 3-rutinoside yield. The R(2), P-values of model and lack of fit indicated the high fitness of the model to true behavior. Every factor showed evident effects and interactions on the cyanidin 3-rutinoside yield. The optimal conditions to obtain the highest yield of cyanidin 3-rutinoside were 240 W of ultrasonic power, 34.5 min of ultrasonic time and 54.1% of ethanol concentration. The predicted yield of cyanidin 3-rutinoside was not significantly (p > 0.05) different to the practical value conducted under optimal conditions.