Ultrasound-assisted extraction

 

 

 

Sueli Rodrigues^1* and Fabiano AN Fernandes²

¹Universidade Federal do Ceará, Departamento de Tecnologia dos Alimentos, Campus do Pici, Fortaleza – CE, Brazil

²Universidade Federal do Ceará, Departamento de Engenharia Química, Campus do Pici, Fortaleza – CE, Brazil

 

 

 

Abstract

Purpose of review: This paper presents and discusses the most recent research and development in ultrasound-assisted extraction of bioactive and other compounds from residues and raw food materials.

Findings: Ultrasound has great potential to be used either alone or in association with other non-thermal technologies. Extraction processes have greatly benefited from the use of ultrasound, since it enhances the mass transfer coefficient, reducing the extraction time and lowering thermal degradation losses, water and energy consumption.

Directions for future research: Although several studies have shown the effect of ultrasound on plant tissue structure and the extraction of many compounds, few studies have been carried out to scale up the process considering an industrial and large scale application. Further studies are required to explore and evaluate the benefits and restrictions of ultrasound application in large scale and industrial process.

 

Keywords: extraction of bioactive compounds; sonication; sonochemistry

 

Stewart Postharvest Review 2009, 5:1

Published online 01 October 2009

doi: 10.2212/spr.2009.5.1