Multi-Objective Optimization of the Green Extraction Conditions of Bio-Active Compounds from a Levisticum officinale WDJ Koch: Pareto Optimality and Compromise Solutions for Process Management

Plants belonging to the Apiaceae family (including Levisticum officinale WDJ Koch) are rich sources of phytochemicals and secondary metabolites, with possible health-promoting and agrochemical potential. The objective of this work was to provide important guidelines for controlling conventional aqueous extraction to obtain Levisticum officinale root extracts with maximised levels of bioactive compounds. The ultimate goal was to optimise the total phenolic compounds, flavonoid content, sugars, and total antioxidant capacity to identify the process conditions necessary to produce highly bioactive extracts that could be used in a wide range of industries. Biomass extraction of lovage root was carried out using water as the extraction solvent. To perform the optimisation of the aqueous extraction, multivariate regression models were used and multi-criteria analysis was performed using Pareto set navigation. Pareto front analysis showed that for the maximum extraction efficiency of bioactive compounds from Levisticum officinale, the optimal extraction process parameters were 0.0714 g·mL⁻¹ as biomass/water ratio and a time of 35.7142 min, at the highest analysed temperature. For the highest analysed value of plant biomass/solvent ratio (0.075 g·mL⁻¹) and maximum process temperature (95ºC), extraction could be carried out for 20 min or in the range 37.1429-38.5714 min. On the other hand, if the extraction time reaches 40 min and the sam-ple/solvent ratio 0.075 g·mL⁻¹, the optimum process temperature is be-tween 75ºC and 95ºC.