A green approach for genistein and apigenin extraction optimization from by-products of soybean crops

Author(s)

Bragagnolo, Felipe Sanchez ; Wojeicchowski, Jose Pedro ; Soukup-Carne, Dominik ; Gonzalez-Miquel, Maria ; Esteban, Jesus ; Funari, Cristiano Soleo

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY AND PHARMACY; v. 37, p. 13-pg., 2023-11-23.

Abstract

Soybeans' genistein and its isomer apigenin are widely studied bioactive compounds owing to their therapeutic potential for treating various health disfunctions. A green extraction of both from soy by-products could lead to a valuable and sustainable approach to adding value to these materials in a biorefinery context. Here Hansen Solubility Parameters (HSP) and the Conductor-like Screening MOdel for Real Solvents (COSMO-RS) were applied to screen green molecular sol-vents and Natural Eutectic Solvents for the extraction of genistein and apigenin from soy by-products. The predicted solubilities of genistein and apigenin in 18 shortlisted candidates were experimentally tested by dynamic maceration, the most industrially implemented natural prod-ucts extraction technique. EtOH:H2O (8:2, v/v) and natural eutectic solvent (NAES) betaine:eth-ylene glycol (1:2, mol/mol) showed the highest performance. These were selected for extraction optimizations by Design of Experiments from soy branches, the largest by-product by mass. The optimum condition of each solvent was applied to extract all other parts of soy collected post-mechanical harvesting. The highest value of apigenin, 591.49 +/- 26.7 mu g/g, was achieved from soy pods with EtOH:H2O (8:2, v/v), while the highest of genistein, 54.04 +/- 3.39 mu g/g, was achieved from soybeans using the same solvent. Our findings highlight the necessity of exercising caution when interpreting in silico outcomes in the context of metabolite extractions from com-plex matrices. A trade-off between in silico solvent screening and experimental work should be followed when developing new phytochemical extraction processes. Furthermore, soy by-products emerged as competitive candidates for a long-term source of the bioactive apigenin in a biorefinery context. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 17/06216-6 - Development of green analytical methodologies in the search for high-added value organic compounds in agricultural waste
• Grantee: Cristiano Soleo de Funari
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Young Investigators Grants
• FAPESP's process: 18/21128-9 - Development of green methodologies in the chemical investigation of agroindustrial wastes of soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) and its derivatives
• Grantee: Felipe Sanchez Bragagnolo
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)
• FAPESP's process: 14/50926-0 - INCT 2014: biodiversity and natural products
• Grantee: Vanderlan da Silva Bolzani
• Support Opportunities: BIOTA-FAPESP Program - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 22/00645-0 - Integral valorization of soya and wheat by-products generated in Brazil and United Kingdom: a cascading value-adding approach
• Grantee: Cristiano Soleo de Funari
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 18/01786-1 - Multi-user equipment approved in grant 2017/06216-6: ultra high performance liquid chromatograph
• Grantee: Cristiano Soleo de Funari
• Support Opportunities: Multi-user Equipment Program