Maximization of TPC Content in Spray-Dried Dandelion Extract Powder Using Decoction and UAE Extraction Techniques

Abstract

Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) leaves are well known for their high content of phenolic compounds, which provide antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and hepatoprotective benefits. This study investigated the effectiveness of traditional decoction and ultrasonic-assisted extraction (UAE) methods for maximizing the total phenolic content (TPC) in dandelion leaf extract powders, followed by spray drying. The UAE technique provides ultrasonic waves to enhance cell wall disruption and release phenolic compounds, while decoction relies on boiling water to extract bioactive.

The extracts were spray-dried under optimized conditions to get stable powders, and then TPC was determined by the Folin-Ciocalteu method. The UAE showed a significantly higher extract powder yield percentage than decoction, yielding up to 36.51 ± 0.36% extract at 15 minutes compared to 32.03 ± 0.28% of decoction extract at 45 minutes. Spray drying at 140°C showed a higher TPC content and achieved a significant outcome for extracted powder. In comparison, the temperature increases at 160°C indicated a decline in the TPC content for both extraction methods. The highest yield percentage of the dandelion leaf extract at 140°C was selected to determine the TPC content. It is suggested that the significantly higher TPC in all extraction time intervals (15 min,30 min, 45 min) showed 42.11 ± 0.51 mg GAE/g to 44.01 ± 0.62 mg GAE/g in UAE extraction. In contrast, traditional decoction extraction is simple and cost-effective, involving prolonged boiling, which degraded heat-sensitive phenolics and showed significantly lower TPC content 20.32 ± 0.31mg GAE/g to 25.11 ± 0.18 mg GAE/g in all intervals of extraction time. This research indicates that the UAE is more effective for commercially producing dandelion leaf extract powder to maximize total phenolic content. Further research could explore optimizing UAE parameters and the impact of stability conditions on phenolic content and antioxidant activity of the dandelion leaf extract powder production.