Microwave-ultrasonic technique development coupled with natural deep eutectic solvents in anthocyanin extraction from perilla leaves (Perilla frutescens var. Acuta).

BACKGROUND: As potent antioxidants, anthocyanins can protect the body from free radicals. However, the traditional solvent extraction method has the disadvantages of requiring a high extraction temperature and long extraction time, so it is necessary to develop an efficient extraction method for anthocyanins. RESULTS: In this study, the technique of natural deep eutectic solvents (DESs) was applied to extract anthocyanins from purple perilla leaves with the aid of microwave-ultrasonic assisted extraction (MUAE). The response surface methodology (RSM), based on the Box-Behnken design (BBD), predicted the maximum extraction yield of anthocyanins to be 619.62 mg (100 g)-1 under the following conditions: x1 (ultrasonic extraction power) = 357.25 W, x2 (time) = 25.62 min, and x3 (temperature) = 57.80 °C. The biological activity of the extract obtained was evaluated by examining its radical-scavenging effect on 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl, hydroxyl radical, and superoxide anion radicals. Its bacteriostatic impact was investigated on four typical bacteria: Shewanella putrefaciens (S. putrefaciens), Pseudomonas fluorescens (P. fluorescens), Escherichia coli (E. coli), and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). CONCLUSION: The integrated extraction method of DESs with MUAE was efficient, energy-saving, green, and sustainable. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.