a b s t r a c t
Ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) of antioxidant polyphenols from chicory grounds was studied in
order to propose a suitable valorization of this food industry by-product. The main parameters influencing
the extraction process were identified. A new mathematical model for multi-criteria optimization of
UAE was proposed. This kinetic model permitted the following and the prediction of the yield of extracted
polyphenols, the antioxidant activity of the obtained extracts and the energy consumption during the
extraction process in wide ranges of temperature (20–60 C), ethanol content in the solvent (0–60%
(vol.) in ethanol–water mixtures) and ultrasound power (0–100 W). After experimental validation of
the model, several simulations at different technological restrictions were performed to illustrate the
potentiality of the model to find the optimal conditions for obtaining a given yield within minimal process
duration or with minimal energy consumption. The advantage of ultrasound assistance was clearly
demonstrated both for the reduction of extraction duration and for the reduction of energy consumption.