Journal of food science and technology(Iran)

Journal of food science and technology(Iran)

Investigation of the Effects of Microwave, Ultrasound, and Combined Microwave–Ultrasound Extraction on Antioxidant Properties and Mineral Content (Calcium, Potassium, and Iron) of Pomegranate Pomace Extract

Document Type : Original Article

Author
Maryam Ebrahimi
1. PhD Graduated in Food Science and Engineering, Department of Processing and Preservation, Faculty of Agriculture, Malayer University, Malayer, Iran
10.48311/fsct.2026.118174.82975
Abstract
Considering the significant economic and social impacts of food waste, this study aimed to investigate the effects of different extraction methods on the antioxidant properties and mineral content (calcium, potassium, and iron) of pomegranate pomace. Four extraction methods were applied, including ultrasound (30 min), microwave (90 s), a combined microwave–ultrasound method (90 s microwave followed by 30 min ultrasound), and conventional maceration as a control. The obtained extracts were analyzed for extraction yield, total phenolic content, DPPH radical scavenging activity, and mineral concentrations. The results demonstrated that ultrasound and microwave methods, particularly the combined method, achieved the highest extraction yield (6.59%), DPPH radical scavenging activity (64.5%), and mineral contents of calcium (0.71 ppm), iron (0.23 ppm), and potassium (205 ppm). Moreover, the combined microwave–ultrasound, ultrasound, and microwave methods increased the total phenolic content by 256.35%, 88.58%, and 205.15%, respectively, compared to conventional maceration. These findings indicate that modern extraction techniques such as ultrasound and microwave can serve as effective alternatives to traditional methods for recovering bioactive compounds and mineral elements from fruit residues.
Keywords
Pomegranate pomace
Ultrasound
Microwave
Antioxidant properties
Mineral elements
Subjects
[1]    Razghandi, E., Elhami Rad, A. H., Jafari, S. M., Saiedi Asl, M. R., & Bakhshabadi, H. (2024). Application of pulsed electric field‐ultrasound technique for antioxidant extraction from yarrow: ANFIS modeling and evaluation of antioxidant activity. Journal of Food Processing and Preservation, 2024(1), 2951718.
[2]    Razghandi, E., Elhami-Rad, A. H., Jafari, S. M., Saiedi-Asl, M. R., & Bakhshabadi, H. (2024). Combined pulsed electric field-ultrasound assisted extraction of yarrow phenolic-rich ingredients and their nanoliposomal encapsulation for improving the oxidative stability of sesame oil. Ultrasonics Sonochemistry, 110, 107042.
[3]    Ghasemi, R., Akrami Mohajeri, F., Heydari, A., Yasini, S. A., Dehghani Tafti, A., & Khalili Sadrabad, E. (2023). Application of pomegranate peel extract, a waste agricultural product, as a natural preservative in tahini. International Journal of Food Science, 2023(1), 8860476.
[4]    García, P., Fredes, C., Cea, I., Lozano-Sánchez, J., Leyva-Jiménez, F. J., Robert, P., & Jimenez, P. (2021). Recovery of bioactive compounds from pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) peel using pressurized liquid extraction. Foods, 10(2), 203.
[5]    Dolatabadi, Z., Rad, A. H. E., Feizabad, S. H. A., Farzaneh, V., & Bakhshabadi, H. (2025). Utilizing subcritical fluid for extracting lycopene and phenolic compounds from tomato pomace, and incorporating the extract obtained to extend the shelf life of mayonnaise. Journal of Food Science and Technology, 1-11.
[6]    Gharekhani, M.,  Ghorbani, M.,  Rasoulnejad, N.,  Jabrayili, SH., Novel extraction  methods of  nutraceuticals from  medicinal plants: ultrasound-assisted extraction, microwave- assissted extraction and accelerated solvent extraction. Iranian Chemical Engineering Journal, 10(59), 24-36.
 
[7]    Bakhshabadi, H., Ganje, M., Gharekhani, M., Mohammadi-Moghaddam, T., Aulestia, C., & Morshedi, A. (2025). A review of new methods for extracting oil from plants to enhance the efficiency and physicochemical properties of the extracted oils. Processes, 13(4), 1124.
[8]    Gharekhani, M., Dehghani, A.A., Gharekhani, A., Jabrayili, SH., Ghorbani, M. (2012). Extraction of phenolic compounds from eucalyptus leaves (Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehn.) using microwave and process prediction Extraction using artificial neural networks. Journal of Plant Environmental Physiology, 7(4), 70-80.
 
[9]    Mansuri, S., Bakhshabadi, H., Moghimi, M., Tahmasebi, A., & Gharekhani, M. (2025). Evaluating the physicochemical properties of camelina (Camelina sativa) seed oil obtained through optimized ultrasonic-assisted extraction. Ultrasonics Sonochemistry, 118, 107371.
[10] Awuchi, C. G., Igwe, V. S., Amagwula, I. O., & Echeta, C. K. (2020). Health benefits of micronutrients (vitamins and minerals) and their associated deficiency diseases: A systematic review. International Journal of Food Sciences, 3(1), 1-32.
[11] Stipanuk, M. H., & Caudill, M. A. (2018). Biochemical, Physiological, and Molecular Aspects of Human Nutrition-E-Book: Biochemical, Physiological, and Molecular Aspects of Human Nutrition-E-Book. Elsevier health sciences.
[12] Clarkson, P. M., & Haymes, E. M. (1995). Exercise and mineral status of athletes: calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, and iron. Medicine and science in sports and exercise, 27(6), 831-843.
[13] Chen, J., Li, X., Gao, L., Guo, S., & He, F. (2024). Microwave treatment of minerals and ores: Heating behaviors, applications, and future directions. Minerals, 14(3), 219.
[14] Milić, P. S., Rajković, K. M., Stamenković, O. S., Bekrić, D. M., Arsić‐Arsenijević, V., Jovanović, P. D., & Veljković, V. B. (2018). Statistical modeling and optimization of classical and ultrasound‐assisted extraction of the minerals from Galium mollugo L. by response surface methodology and genetic algorithm. Journal of food processing and preservation, 42(3), e13552.
[15] Moghimi, M., Farzaneh, V., & Bakhshabadi, H. (2018). The effect of ultrasound pretreatment on some selected physicochemical properties of black cumin (Nigella Sativa). Nutrire, 43(1), 18.
[16] Sharma, M., & Dash, K. K. (2022). Microwave and ultrasound assisted extraction of phytocompounds from black jamun pulp: Kinetic and thermodynamics characteristics. Innovative Food Science & Emerging Technologies, 75, 102913.
[17] Hosseini, S. M., Bojmehrani, A., Zare, E., Zare, Z., Hosseini, S. M., & Bakhshabadi, H. (2021). Optimization of antioxidant extraction process from corn meal using pulsed electric field‐subcritical water. Journal of food processing and preservation, 45(6), e15458.
[18]  Długaszek, M., & Mierczyk, J. (2024). Elemental composition of green tea infusions depending on the method of their brewing. European Food Research and Technology, 250(1), 301-309.
[19] Rashidi, H., Hosseinzadeh, E., Ghods Rohani, M., & Einafshar. (2023). The effect of ultrasound extraction conditions on extraction efficiency phenolic compounds and antioxidant properties of Eryngium extract. Technology of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants of Iran, 5(1), 44-34.
[20] Bakhshabadi, H., Mirzaei, H., Ghodsvali, A., Jafari, S. M., Ziaiifar, A. M., & Farzaneh, V. (2017). The effect of microwave pretreatment on some physico-chemical properties and bioactivity of Black cumin seeds’ oil. Industrial crops and products, 97, 1-9.
[21] Tanruean, K., Luangkamin, S., Srisurat, T., Bunmusik, W., & Suttiarporn, P. (2025). Optimization of Microwave-Assisted Extraction Process for Production of Polyphenol-Rich Crude Extract from Cinnamomum iners Leaves. Applied Sciences (2076-3417), 15(3).
[22] Karimi, S., Sharifzadeh, S., & Abbasi, H. (2020). Sequential ultrasound-microwave assisted extraction as a green method to extract essential oil from Zataria multiflora. Journal of Food and Bioprocess Engineering, 3(2), 101-109.
[23] Bitwell, C., Indra, S. S., Luke, C., & Kakoma, M. K. (2023). A review of modern and conventional extraction techniques and their applications for extracting phytochemicals from plants. Scientific African, 19, e01585.
[24] Bimakr, M., Ganjloo, A., Zarringhalami, S., & Ansarian, E. (2017). Ultrasound-assisted extraction of bioactive compounds from Malva sylvestris leaves and its comparison with agitated bed extraction technique. Food Science and Biotechnology, 26(6), 1481-1490.
[25] Quintero Quiroz, J., Naranjo Duran, A. M., Silva Garcia, M., Ciro Gomez, G. L., & Rojas Camargo, J. J. (2019). Ultrasound‐assisted extraction of bioactive compounds from annatto seeds, evaluation of their antimicrobial and antioxidant activity, and identification of main compounds by LC/ESI‐MS analysis. International journal of food science, 2019(1), 3721828.
[26] Herrera, M. C., & Luque de Castro, M. D. (2004). Ultrasound-assisted extraction for the analysis of phenolic compounds in strawberries. Analytical and bioanalytical chemistry, 379(7), 1106-1112.
[27] Bagade, S. B., & Patil, M. (2021). Recent advances in microwave assisted extraction of bioactive compounds from complex herbal samples: a review. Critical reviews in analytical chemistry, 51(2), 138-149.
[28] Kaufmann, B., & Christen, P. (2002). Recent extraction techniques for natural products: microwave‐assisted extraction and pressurised solvent extraction. Phytochemical Analysis: An International Journal of Plant Chemical and Biochemical Techniques, 13(2), 105-113.
[29] Taşkın, B., & Aksoylu Özbek, Z. (2020). Optimisation of microwave effect on bioactives contents and colour attributes of aqueous green tea extracts by central composite design. Journal of Food Measurement and Characterization, 14(4), 2240-2252.
[30] Hu, A., & Li, L. (2022). Effects of ultrasound pretreatment on functional property, antioxidant activity, and digestibility of soy protein isolate nanofibrils. Ultrasonics Sonochemistry, 90, 106193.
[31] Alara, O. R., Abdurahman, N. H., Abdul Mudalip, S. K., & Olalere, O. A. (2019). Effects of microwave-assisted extraction parameters on the recovery yield and total phenolic content of Vernonia amygdalina leaf extracts with different methods of drying. Jundishapur Journal of Natural Pharmaceutical Products, 14(1), 1-11.
[32] Jurić, M., Golub, N., Galić, E., Radić, K., Maslov Bandić, L., & Vitali Čepo, D. (2025). Microwave-Assisted Extraction of Bioactive Compounds from Mandarin Peel: A Comprehensive Biorefinery Strategy. Antioxidants, 14(6), 722.
[33] Kowaluk, A., Guédon, J., Kryska, N., Rabiej-Kozioł, D., Strzelec, M., & Szydłowska-Czerniak, A. (2025). Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction of Inorganic Elements and Antioxidants from Gingerbread Cookies Using Natural Deep Eutectic Solvents. Foods, 14(18), 3165.
[34] Nababi, J., Kamanula, J. F., Alunga, G. L., Wanjala, F. P., Agnandji, P., Nakawoombe, M., ... & Wanda, E. M. M. (2025). Optimization of ultrasound-assisted extraction of nutritional elements from Eichhornia crassipes (water hyacinth) and comparison with maceration method. Bioresource Technology Reports, 102370.
[35] Arruda, S. C., Rodriguez, A. P., & Arruda, M. A. (2003). Ultrasound-assisted extraction of Ca, K and Mg from in vitro citrus culture. Journal of the Brazilian Chemical Society, 14, 470-474.