Abstract
Liquid-solid extraction kinetics performance of flavonoids from okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench) pods was studied. The effects of temperature and solid to liquid ratio on the extraction kinetics of flavonoids were examined. The experimental extraction kinetics was established and analyzed with a mathematical model derived from Ficks second law following the first-order equation. Results explained that the mean relative error (MRE) values for temperature and liquid-solid ratio were low (3.84% and 4.70%, respectively). The model quality was determined by statistical comparison of the predicted and observed values. A good prediction (MRE < 5%) and concordance (the coefficient of determination, R2 > 0.995) of the extraction model on experimental data and calculated values was observed. Hence, the initial rate, degree of extraction, rate constant and activation energy for the extraction model of flavonoids were estimated.