Effect of Solvents on Physiochemical Properties of Freeze-dried Pomegranate Seed (Cv. Bhagwa)

The phenolic compounds and antioxidant activities of natural plant extract have the ability to maintained human health and reduced the risk of disease. The present study investigates the feasibility of the ultra-sonic assisted extraction method and most effective solvents for the extraction of phenolic, flavonoid, and antioxidant activities of freeze-dried pomegranate seed powder. The study also involved investigations of physicochemical characteristics such as edible & waste index, acidity, TSS, moisture, and pH of pomegranate fruits, seed, and dried powder. The pomegranate seed powder was subjected to extraction using five different polar and nonpolar solvents viz., methanol, ethanol, water, acetone, and hexane. In this study, the methanol solvents exhibit the highest value of phenolic contents (18.25 mg/g), flavonoid contents (9.13 mg/g), and antioxidant activity (89.39%). The antioxidant (DPPH), phenolic and flavonoid content activity were analyzed by using standard methods. The physicochemical properties depend on the types of solvents that extract compounds according to polarity and nonpolarity. The obtained results were indicated that the methanol solvent is significantly effective (P < .05) for quality extraction of phenolic and flavonoid contents with high antioxidant activity of pomegranate seed powder.