Pressurized hot water extraction of proteins from Sambucus nigra L. branches

The investigation of high-value compounds found in plants has been of increasing interest in recent years. Elderberry is an example of such a plant and elderberry proteins, namely ribosome inactivating proteins, are an example of compounds of increased interest. In particular, elderberry branches are rich in these proteins. Since extraction is usually the first step involved in the analysis of plant bioactive compounds, this study investigates the feasibility of pressurized hot water extraction (PHWE) for the recovery of proteins from elderberry branches. The branches were extracted by PHWE at temperatures ranging from 40 to 100 degrees C. Other parameters influencing the effectiveness of the extraction process such as the size of the elderberry branches, extraction time, and number of extraction cycles were also investigated. The optimal conditions were found and the obtained results confirmed that the PHWE technique is an efficient way to extract proteins from biological material.