Enhancement of Phenolic Extraction and Antioxidant Activity from Field Corn Cobs Using Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction for Sustainable Valorization

บทคัดย่อ

Field corn cobs, a major agricultural byproduct, are rich in phenolic compounds with antioxidant potential. The aim of this study was to optimize phenolic extraction from field corn cobs using ethanol and ultrasound-assisted ethanol extraction (UAE). Compared to conventional extraction, UAE improved efficiency while reducing time. The optimal condition for phenolic extraction was UAE with 50% ethanol, 37 kHz frequency, 50°C, and 60 minutes. The field corn cob extract showed the highest total phenolic content at 24.38 mg GAE/g extract, and the inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) of DPPH was 2.48 mg/mL. Even though the IC₅₀ value of field corn cob extract is lower than that of ascorbic acid (29.16 µg/mL). This research highlights the sustainable use of corn cobs as a natural antioxidant source for industrial applications.