Optimisation of the microwave-assisted extraction of pigments from paprika(Capsicum annuum L.) powders

The efficiency of microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) for the extraction of colour pigments from paprika (Capsicum annuum) powders was evaluated using 30 extracting solvent mixtures. The separation efficacy and selectivity of MAE was carried out using a spectral mapping technique and the relationshi p between the efficacy and selectivity of extraction and the physicochemica l parameters of solvent mixtures was calculated by stepwise regression anal ysis. The calculation results were verified experimentally by the separatio n of pigment fractions by high-performance Liquid chromatography. It was es tablished that both the efficacy and selectivity of MAE depend significantl y on the dielectric constant of the extraction solvent mixture. (C) 2000 El sevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.