Abstract
The objective of the current research was to assess the optimal extraction conditions with respect to ethanol concentration and time to recover betalains from red beetroot (Beta vulgaris L.). Purposely, betalains were extracted from beetroot using water and ethanol based solvent modules at three different time intervals i.e., 20, 40 and 60 min and the obtained extracts were analyzed for betacyanins, betaxanthins and total betalains The obtained data was further analyzed using three level-two factor central composite design using response surface methodology. The data was fitted to second order polynomial equation by applying multiple regression analysis. The optimal conditions were obtained using maximum desirability function that found to be 31.03, 45.01 and 35.34% aqueous ethanol for betacyanins, betaxanthins and total betalains, respectively whilst, optimum extraction time was recorded to be around 43 min. The experimental values were close to the predicted values that proves the adequacy of the model employed. It was suggested that aqueous-ethanol is suitable for maximal recovery of beetroot betalains instead of ethanol or water as a sole solvent.