Investigation of the Effect of Hemicellulase in Heat Reflux and Ultrasound Extraction Methods on Extraction Efficiency of Glycyrrhizic Acid of Licorice Root

Subject Areas : Microbiology

E. Giahi ¹ (عضو باشگاه پژوهشگران جوان، دانشجوی کارشناسی ارشد گروه علوم و صنایع غذایی، دانشکده کشاورزی، واحد اصفهان (خوراسگان)، دانشگاه آزاد اسلامی، اصفهان، ایران)
J. Keramat ² (دانشیار گروه علوم و صنایع غذایی، دانشکده کشاورزی، دانشگاه صنعتی اصفهان، اصفهان، ایران)
M. Jahadi ³ (استادیار گروه علوم و صنایع غذایی، دانشکده کشاورزی، واحد اصفهان (خوراسگان)، دانشگاه آزاد اسلامی، اصفهان، ایران)

Received: 2016-08-25 Accepted : 2016-08-25 Published : 2016-09-22

Keywords: Hemicellulose, Licorice, Reflux, Ultrasound,

Abstract :

Introduction: Enzyme assisted extraction methods have been recently reported for the extraction of bioactive compounds. The aim of this research is to investigate the effect of hemicellulase enzyme on the extraction efficiency of the extract and the extraction of glycyrrhizic acid from licorice root through reflux and ultrasound extraction methods. Materials and Methods: After the preparation of licorice root, the enzymatic pretreatment was performed by hemicellulase enzyme at different concentrations (0.2, 1, 2, 3 %) for 1 hour in waterbath at 45°C. The extracts were obtained by both reflux and ultrasound methods (20 minutes at 35°C with 40 khz frequency), followed by centrifugation, concentration and drying in an oven. The extraction efficiency of the extract was calculated and the amount of glycyrrhizic acid was measured by HPLC method. Results: The extraction efficiency of the extract was increased significantly as the hemicellulase enzyme concentration  was increased, therefore the extract from the enzymatically pretreated licorice root with hemicellulase enzyme in both extraction methods at the concentration of 3% led to the maximum extraction efficiency and there were significant differences between the control and the enzymatically pretreated samples (p<0.05). Conclusion: Enzymatic pretreatment of the licorice root with hemicellulase enzyme in both reflux and ultrasound extraction methods is an effective method to increase the extraction efficiency of glycyrrhizic acid from licorice root. The enzyme with the capability of cell wall breakage of plant tissue facilitates the release of the intracellular materials.