Efficient green extraction of polyphenols from post-harvested agro-industry vegetal sources in Piedmont

A study of the polyphenols content and antioxidant capacity of grapevine waste and hazelnut skins (roasted material) from post-harvest products that originate from Piedmont (Italy) has been carried out and the results herein presented. Ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) and microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) were used to achieve process intensification in shorter extraction times, with lower environmental impact and higher selectivity compared to classic maceration. Besides classic solvents, the aqueous β-cyclodextrin solution (1.5%) showed to be an excellent extraction medium for grapevine waste. Total phenolic content (TP) from grapevine waste ranged from 18.23 ± 2.4 to 198 ± 3 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/g dry weight, while total antioxidant capacity (TAC) expressed as EC₅₀ ranged from 0.0902 ± 0.08 mg/mL to 0.0041 ± 0.02 mg/mL. For hazelnut skins, TP ranged from 61.68 ± 0.8 to 200.79 ± 3.0 mg GAE/g dry weight, while TAC ranged from 0.0021 ± 0.0004 to 0.0002 ± 0.0001 mg/mL extract. We have shown that, compared to maceration, the use of UAE and MAE methods can enhance polyphenols recovery and antioxidant capacity.