Optimization of enzyme-assisted extraction of the Lycium barbarum polysaccharides using response surface methodology

In this study, an efficient enzyme-assisted extraction procedure was developed and optimized for the extraction of polysaccharide from Lycium barbarum. The concentrations of papain and cellulose were optimized by an orthogonal experimental design and the optimal results were cellulose concentration 2.0% (wt.% of L. barbarum powder) and papain concentration 1.0%. The response surface methodology (RSM) based on Box Behnken Design (BBD) was employed to further optimize the extraction conditions which included extraction time, extraction temperature and pH. The optimal conditions were as follows: extraction time 91 min, extraction temperature 59.7 °C and pH 5.0. Under these conditions, the experimental yield was 6.81 ± 0.10%, which was well matched with the value predicted by the model.