Application of Response Surface Methodology for the Optimization of Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction of Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) Seed Oil

In this work, ultrasound-assisted extraction of oil from pomegranate seed was optimized by response surface methodology (RSM) using the central composite rotatable design (CCRD). The parameters studied for the optimization were solvent-to-solid ratio, temperature, and time of extraction. The conditions selected in accordance with the results obtained were solvent-to-solid ratio, 25 mL/g; temperature, 60 degrees C; and time, 20 min, which resulted in a yield of oil extraction of 27.99 %. The fatty acid composition of the pomegranate seed oil was analyzed by capillary gas chromatography using flame ionization detection (GC-FID). The yield of oil extraction and the fatty acid composition of optimized extraction method were compared with other conventional extraction methods. The results of gas chromatography analysis have indicated that few changes in fatty acid composition occurred between the extraction methods. The results indicated that the optimized extraction method using ultrasound is effective in extracting oil from pomegranate seed.