This study proposed the separation of the phenolic compounds from the bracts by microwave‐assisted extraction at 700, 800, and 1,000 W power, in times of 10, 15, and 20 min using water as a solvent. The results showed that the power and time were significant on the yields of phenolic, tannin, and radical scavenging assay. The best extraction condition was obtained at 1,000 W for 20 min, with contents of 47.61, 27.09, and 779.95 mg/g, for total phenolic compounds, total tannins, and condensed tannins; and 427.28 and 467.79 μmol/g for radical scavenging capacity by ABTS·+ and DPPH·, respectively, and it did not present a significant difference with the exhaustive extraction using acetone as a solvent. The colorimetric parameters Hue angle and Chroma showed values of 62.28° and 31.20, respectively. The maximum predicted responses by response surface methodology were also reached at 1,000 W and 20 min.
Practical applications
Araucaria angustifolia bracts are a source of phenolic compounds, mainly condensed tannins, which are related to potential health benefits, such as antioxidant capacity and antimicrobial, antimutagenic and anticarcinogenic properties. The extract containing these molecules was obtained by microwave‐assisted extraction using water as a solvent, thus employing green separation technologies, which resulted in shorter residence times at high temperatures and lower losses of thermally sensitive components as well as energy consumption. The results obtained from the recovery of phenolic compounds in the extract demonstrated the feasibility of the method to be applied on the industrial scale for its use in food formulations.