Optimization of bioactive compounds extraction from <i>Rosa canina L</i>. pseudofruit through the action of two hydrolytic enzyme preparations

Abstract BACKROUND The pseudo‐fruit of Rosa canina L . is a rich source of bioactive compounds with antioxidant, anti‐inflammatory, anti‐cancer, anti‐diabetic, anti‐aging, and antimicrobial activities. The aim of the present study is the optimization of a green process based on the action of two hydrolytic enzyme preparations, namely Pectinex® Ultra Color (pectinolytic) and Viscoferm® (hemicellulolytic), for the extraction of bioactive compounds from the pseudo‐fruit of Rosa canina L . of Greek origin. A Box–Behnken Design (BBD) was employed to optimize extraction conditions by evaluating the effects of enzyme loadings and extraction time on total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), and antioxidant activity. The optimum extract was evaluated for its biological activities, anti‐aging (inhibition of tyrosinase activity), antidiabetic (inhibition of α‐glucosidase and α‐amylase activity), and for its antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli cells. RESULTS The optimal conditions were determined using Derringer's desirability function and were found at 0.59% v/v Pectinex® Ultra color, 0.51% v/v Viscoferm®, and approximately 97 min (96.23 min) extraction time. The optimum extract yielded 123.22 ± 2.50 mg GAE/g DW TPC, 49.13 ± 0.92 mg CAE/g DW TFC, and exhibited antioxidant activity with an IC₅₀ of 0.98 ± 0.02μL extract /mL. The biological activities of the extracts revealed strong inhibition of E. coli growth, moderate α‐glucosidase inhibition, and weak tyrosinase inhibition and α‐amylase inhibition. CONCLUSION The proposed process offers a rapid approach for the effective extraction of bioactive compounds from the pseudofruit of Rosa canina L ., with promising biological activities, thus demonstrating its potential for applications in various industries. © 2025 The Author(s). Journal of Chemical Technology and Biotechnology published by John Wiley &amp; Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).