Application of numerical modeling for optimization of selective hot water extraction of taxifolin from milk thistle seeds

The term flavonoid is used for a class of plant chemicals known for their activity as highly potent antioxidants and accordingly their ability to protect the body against oxidative and free radical damage. Taxifolin has attracted our attention because it constitutes the flavonoid moiety in ‘milk thistle’ seeds. In this research, a novel optimization-extraction method of taxifolin from ‘milk thistle’ seeds has been developed. Total antioxidant content was measured to monitor the efficiency of the extraction under different experimental conditions (solid- liquid ratio, extraction time and extraction temperature /pressure). Response surface methodology based on numerical modeling was adopted for optimization of extraction procedures. High pressure liquid chromatograph (HPLC) analysis was applied to identify taxifolin and some other phenolics in the ‘milk thistle’ extract. Using this method allowed the development of an empirical polynomial model for the production of antioxidants compounds from ‘milk thistle’ seeds. Application of such models is of great importance for pharmaceutical industries. Key words: Milk thistle, extraction, numerical modeling, antioxidant, high pressure liquid chromatograph (HPLC).