MODELLING INVESTIGATION AND PARAMETERS STUDY OF POLYPHENOLS EXTRACTION FROM CAROB (CERATONIA SILIQUA L.) USING EXPERIMENTAL FACTORIAL DESIGN

Kinetics of aqueous extraction of polyphenols from carob (Ceratonia siliqua L.) have been performed in different conditions (Temperature = 40 and 60C; solid-liquid ratio = 1: 3 and 1: 19 and without and with ultrasonic assistance ( 100W)). The effects of various parameters were studied using an experimental design. The final yield was modelled as a first order polynomial model: Y = 42.688+7.997x T (p< 0.10). An HPLC analysis showed that the major component is the galic acid and ultrasound assistance has no effect on degradation of phenols. Eight models (theoretical, empirical and semi-empirical) were tested to fit all kinetics [Y=f(t)] performed in all experiment conditions. Patricelli model showed the best fitting result and was retained to simulate all extraction conditions. Then polyphenols extraction from carob is based on two stages: an instant washing step followed by a slow diffusion step.