Exploring the Potential of Licuri (Syagrus coronata) Using Sustainable Techniques and Solvents for Extracting Bioactive Compounds

Bioactive compounds are important for promoting human health, either by developing functional products that offer complementary health benefits or by incorporating them into nutritional supplements, beverages, fortified foods, and pharmaceutical products. In this context, this work focuses on extracting phenolic compounds from the mesocarp of licuri (Syagrus coronata), with the aim of evaluating different emerging solvents and extraction techniques. Solvents with different polarities, such as acetonitrile, ethanol, dimethyl isosorbide (DMI), and CyreneTM, were used in the extraction process (by maceration, ultrasound, and microwaves). A response surface methodology (RSM) with 11 tests was applied, through which it was possible to determine the best extraction condition and method for extracting bioactive compounds, such as total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC). The results of licuri mesocarp characterization demonstrated the presence of functional groups associated with the presence of bioactive compounds. RSM analysis showed that the extraction process using acetonitrile at 30 wt%, 60 °C, and in a 1:20 (w/v) ratio had better TPC (35.8 mg GAE·g−1) and TFC (331.1 mg Erutin·g−1) values compared to ethanol. A comparative study between solvents was also conducted, in which CyreneTM (100 wt%) showed the better TPC extraction capacity (75.1 mg GAE·g−1) and acetonitrile as the best TFC extracting solvent (331.1 mg Erutin.g−1). Regarding the extraction method, when analyzing the optimized conditions found by RSM, ultrasound-assisted extraction showed the highest extraction values for TPC (42.8 mg GAE·g−1) and TFC (347.9 mg Erutin·g−1).