Ultrasound-assisted extraction of highly nutritious date sugar from date palm (Phoenix dactylifera) fruit powder: Parametric optimization and kinetic modeling

• Published in: Ultrasonics sonochemistry 2022-08, Vol.88, p.106107-106107, Article 106107
• Main Authors: AlYammahi, Jawaher, Hai, Abdul, Krishnamoorthy, Rambabu, Arumugham, Thanigaivelan, Hasan, Shadi W., Banat, Fawzi
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Characterization; Date fruit; Date sugar; Kinetic modeling; Optimization; Short Communication; Ultrasonic extraction
• ISSN: 1350-4177; 1873-2828
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ultsonch.2022.106107

[Display omitted] •Date sugar is extracted from date fruit powder by ultrasonication.•Operating conditions are optimized for the total sugar content and extraction yield.•Characterization of extracts obtained by modern analytical tools.•Sugar extraction is increased due to acoustic or ultrasonic cavitation.•Statistical correlation and kinetic modeling agree well with the experimental data. Alternative sweeteners to white sugar with a lower calorie content and glycemic index obtained through date palm fruits is of great interest to the food industry. In this study, ultrasound-assisted extraction of nutritive sugar from date fruit powder was investigated through Box-Behnken design. A maximum total sugar content (TSC) of 812 mg glucose eq./g of DFP was obtained with a sugar extraction yield (SEY) of 81.40 ± 0.27 % under the following optimal extraction conditions: extraction temperature of 60 °C, extraction time of 30 min, and L/S ratio of 7.6 mL/g. Various modern techniques were used to characterize the obtained extracts and associated residues. The results showed that the extract contained fructose, glucose, and sucrose and had good thermal stability. Furthermore, SEM and TSC analysis revealed that ultrasonic treatment of the biomass improved mass transfer diffusion due to acoustic or ultrasonic cavitation, resulting in a higher sugar yield.