Eco-friendly extraction of hesperidin from citrus peels: a comparative study of Soxhlet, ultrasound-assisted, and microwave-assisted methods for improved yield and antioxidant properties

This study compares Soxhlet extraction, ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE), and microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) for isolating hesperidin from citrus peels. UAE achieved the highest yield (89.7%) and demonstrated favorable kinetic parameters (rate constant: 0.96 h^-1, half-life: 0.72 h), highlighting its efficiency as an eco-friendly alternative. The UAE extract also exhibited the highest total phenolic and flavonoid contents, maximizing bioactive compound recovery. While MAE showed superior antioxidant activity in DPPH (IC₅₀: 31.49 µg/mg DE) and ABTS (IC₅₀: 73.38 µg/mg DE) assays, the HPLC analysis confirmed a hesperidin purity of 89.7%, with UAE and MAE yielding comparable results. These findings underscore UAE's potential for enhancing hesperidin extraction while promoting sustainability through citrus waste valorization. This research provides valuable insights into optimizing extraction techniques for bioactive compounds and supporting their industrial applications.