Optimization of quince seed mucilage extraction using cold plasma-activated water: evaluation of the physicochemical, antioxidant, and thermal properties

The present study aimed to investigate the optimization of quince seed mucilage (QSM) extraction using plasma-activated water (PAW) and evaluate the physicochemical, antioxidant, and thermal properties of the resulting QSM powder. The extraction process was optimized employing the surface response methodology (RSM) with the duration of activating the deionized water with cold plasma (CP) (3, 7.5, 12, and 15 min), water temperature (20–70 °C), and seed-to-water ratio (1:10–1:50) as the variables. The findings indicated the efficiency of PAW to extract a higher rate of functional compounds. The optimal extraction conditions were determined as a temperature of 26 °C, a plasma pre-treatment duration of 3 min, and a solvent-to-seed ratio of 19, resulting in an extraction yield of 28 %, with 120.8 mg gallic acid equivalents/g (mg GAE/g) and 131.9 mg quercetin equivalents/g (mg QE/g) of phenolic compounds and flavonoids, respectively. The antioxidant capacity evaluated through DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging assays showed 17.6 % and 43.2 %, respectively. PAW treatment also led to viscosity and turbidity of 776 mPa.s and 0.574 NTU, respectively, with an overall desirability factor of 0.954. Overall, these findings underscore the significance of process optimization, providing further evidence for the PAW potential as a practical approach to improve the QSM extraction yield. • Plasma-activated water (PAW) was used for quince seed mucilage extraction. • PAW increased the quince seed mucilage extraction and optimized. • PAW increased phenolic, flavonoids, and antioxidant activity in extracted mucilage. • PAW changed the morphological and thermal properties of the treated sample.