4. Conclusion
In this study, MAE was optimized for the extraction of pectin
from orange peel. Four factors at three levels Box–Behnken
response surface experimental design was successfully employed
to optimize and study the individual and interactive effect of
process variables such as microwave power, irradiation time, pH
and solid–liquid ratio on the maximum extraction yield of pectin
from orange peel. From the experimental results, a high correlated
quadratic mathematical model was developed and employed
to optimize the MAE process conditions for maximum recovery
of pectin from orange peel. From response surface plots, all process
variables significantly influenced the extraction efficiency
of PY, independently and interactively. The optimal conditions
determined by Derringer’s desired function methodology were as
follows: microwave power of 422 W, irradiation time of 169 s, pH of
1.4 and solid–liquid ratio of 1:16.9 g/ml with maximum pectin yield
(19.24%). Under the optimal conditions, the experimental values
(19.19
±
0.07%) agreed with the predicted values (19.24%).