Introduction

Guishe is a plant residue generated during the carving of Agave lechuguilla leaves for fiber extraction. The current burning and accumulation of guishe in open fields represents an ecological problem. Therefore, its use as a raw material for the extraction of phytochemicals is a promising strategy for its valorization.

Objective

To evaluate the effect of different parameters in microwave-assisted extraction on the flavonoid content in Agave lechuguilla guishe biomass.

Methodology

The effects of different time, temperature, mass:volume ratio and solvent concentration (ethanol) conditions on the flavonoid extraction process were evaluated using a single-factor experimental design. Subsequently, the extract obtained under the best conditions was characterized.

Results

The experimental design indicated that the optimal conditions to obtain a higher flavonoid extraction (15.34 ± 0.03 mgQE·g-1 dm) are: irradiation time of 10 min, temperature of 45 °C, mass:volume ratio of 1:25 (g·mL-1) and ethanol concentration of 70 %.

Limitations of the study

Raising the temperature and irradiation time in the microwave-assisted extraction process could reduce the concentration of flavonoids due to the possible thermal degradation of these compounds.

Originality

Microwave-assisted extraction was shown to be superior to other methods for extracting flavonoids from guishe.

Conclusions

Microwave-assisted extraction of flavonoids is an alternative for valorizing guishe and decreasing the environmental impact associated with this agricultural waste.

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