Extraction of bioactive compounds from peel and seeds of pitomba ( <i>Talisia esculenta</i> ) using eutectic solvents

Abstract This study explores using pitomba peel and seeds to obtain a natural extract with high antioxidant capacity, employing extraction techniques with eutectic solvents combined with agitation and temperature control. The analysis revealed that, for the extraction with pitomba peel residues, the average levels of phenolic compounds did not show significant differences except for the extraction with ethanol. In contrast, the extractions performed with pitomba seeds showed significant differences, with the combination of choline chloride with lactic acid and choline chloride with glycerol providing the highest phenolic compound values. For flavonoids, the highest amount was obtained with the extraction using L-proline and levulinic acid for the pitomba peel and ethanol and choline chloride with levulinic acid for the pitomba seeds. The results of the DPPH and FRAP assays indicate that, for antioxidant activity, the highest DPPH value was achieved with the extraction of pitomba peel using choline chloride with glycerol. In contrast, for pitomba seeds, elevated values were found with choline chloride with glycerol and choline chloride with levulinic acid. In the FRAP assay, the averages between L-proline with levulinic acid and choline chloride with glycerol were not significantly different, showing high values. For pitomba seeds, the averages between ethanol and choline chloride with glycerol were also not significantly different and showed the highest obtained values. The results demonstrate that the extracts obtained from pitomba residues are rich in valuable compounds for potential applications in the food and pharmaceutical industries. They highlight the significant levels of flavonoids extracted from pitomba peel and seeds and emphasise the effectiveness of deep eutectic solvents (DES), particularly choline chloride with glycerol, in the extraction process.