ENHANCED RECOVERY OF SUGARS, PHENOLICS, AND TERPENES FROM CITRUS PARADISI CV. SHAMBER (GRAPE FRUIT) JUICE USING ADVANCED EXTRACTION TECHNOLOGIES

Abstract

This study aims to optimize the extraction of valuable bioactive compounds, namely sugars, phenolics, and terpenes from Citrus paradisi cv. Shamber (grapefruit) juice that holds significant potential for applications in the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries. A comparative evaluation of various solvents (ethyl acetate, chloroform, water, n-hexane, and ascorbic acid solutions) combined with advanced extraction methods, including exhaustive extraction (EE), liquid-liquid micro-extraction (LLME), and supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) was conducted to identify the most efficient approach for maximizing yield and purity of these compounds. Results demonstrated that n-hexane paired with SFE provided the highest recovery of total sugars (7.2 g), fructose (1.9 g), glucose (1.9 g), and sucrose (3.9 g). In terms of phenolics, n-hexane yielded the highest concentration of hydroxycinnamic acids (2.9 mg/100 g), while ethyl acetate was superior for extracting quercetin, d-limonene, monoterpenes, and perillyl alcohol. Cold extraction with water resulted in comparatively lower bioactive content. Additionally, fresh juice and peel contained 0.37 mL and 0.59 mL of essential oil, respectively, with oils rich in aromatic compounds such as 3-hexanol, 2,3-heptanedione, cyclohexanol, d-limonene, and 1-(3-ethyloxiranyl)-ethanone. The batch-scale steam explosion technique negatively impacted oil yield. This systematic assessment identifies the most effective solvents and extraction methods for the quantification of essential compounds. It concludes that the optimal combination is n-hexane paired with SFE, which effectively enhances the extraction of valuable phytochemicals from grapefruit juice and supports sustainable and efficient phytochemical recovery.