Microwave-assisted butylene glycol extraction: An environmentally friendly method for isolating bioactive compounds from coffee silverskin with antioxidant, anti-tyrosinase, and anti-melanogenic effects

The global rise in coffee consumption has resulted in significant waste, particularly coffee silverskin (CS), which constitutes approximately 1.5 % of unroasted coffee and is rich in valuable bioactive compounds. This study aims to use butylene glycol (BG) as an alternative green solvent in the microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) of bioactive compounds from CS, focusing on their antioxidant properties and tyrosinase inhibition potential for safer, natural skin-whitening alternatives. To optimize the extraction process, single-factor studies and a Box-Behnken design were utilized, and the effects evaluated of various parameters on total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), DPPH radical scavenging activity, ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), and tyrosinase inhibition. Optimal conditions were obtained at 180 °C, 40 % solvent concentration, with a liquid-to-solid ratio of 50.23 mL/g, resulting in TPC, TFC, DPPH, FRAP, and significantly higher tyrosinase inhibition compared to ethanol-based extraction ( p < 0.05 ). The liquid chromatography analyses identified caffeine and chlorogenic acid as primary bioactive compounds, alongside 12 additional bioactive compounds. Furthermore, at a concentration of 5 mg/mL, the BG-MAE extract demonstrated non-toxic, reduced melanin content, and inhibited cellular tyrosinase activity. This study highlights the potential of BG-MAE for producing bioactive compounds from CS in antioxidant and whitening cosmetic applications. • The use of butylene glycol as a green solvent for extracting coffee’s active ingredients. • This novel extraction technology saves time and energy and improves the extract’s safety. • Caffeine and chlorogenic acid are the major compounds in this extract. • This extract demonstrates antioxidant, anti-melanogenesis, and anti-tyrosinase activities. • This extract can be used in cosmetic and pharmaceutical applications.