Optimizing binary extraction solvent mixture and computer-aided simulation perspective for nutraceutical extract production from Ajumbaise South-Eastern poly-herbal formulation using sequential two-pot extraction technology

Aju-Mbaise Polyherbal (AMP) formulation has been consumed by Nigerian folks to cure some pathological disorders in human system. Previous studies have documented the biological, pharmacological, and antioxidant activities of AMP extract; however, the multi-response optimization of extraction solvent mixtures, process parameters, and the scale-up of hybrid microwave-assisted and conventional heat-assisted extraction technologies remain unreported in the literature. Therefore, this investigation aims to optimize the extraction solvent mixture and process parameters for the technology scale-up analysis of extract production. In this study, Simplex-Lattice Mixture (SLM) design and Box-Behnken Response Surface Methodology (BBRSM) were employed to optimize the extraction solvent mixture and process parameters for the hybrid extraction of AMP. ASPEN simulator was also used for computer-aided process simulation and the scale-up perspective. The regression models for the prediction of extraction solvent mixture and process parameters gave coefficient of determination (R2) of 0.98 and 0.99 respectively with adjusted R2 of 0.970 and 0.961 accordingly. The optimum extraction solvent mixture was 25% ethanol and 75% water, while the optimal process variables: extraction time (69.5 min), temperature (75°C), and solid–liquid ratio (0.88 g/mL) yielded an extractible yield of 25.2%, TPC of 16.2 mg GAE/g d.w., TFC of 4.88 mg rutin/g d.w., and DPPH of 9.46 mg AAE/g d.w. High-performance-liquid-chromatograph revealed the presence of betullin acid, gallic acid, caffeic acid and rutin compounds in the extract. ASPEN base case scale-up simulation result was compared experimentally and gave MSE, RMSE and MAPE gave 0.0069, 0.082 and 0.09 respectively. The scale-up process design (3900kg/year) results gave batch size (0.87 kg), batch time (167 mins) and production rate (5.14 g/mins). This study showed that computer-aided simulation of sequential MAE and conventional HAE technology is feasible.