Microwave-assisted Extraction of Spruce Bark: Statistical Optimization Using Box-Behnken Design

Closed-system microwave-assisted extraction was applied to extract constituents from spruce bark, using 96.6% ethanol as an extractant. The influence of the time (1 min to 20 min), temperature (60 °C, 80 °C, and 100 °C), and liquid/solid ratio (8 mL/g dry bark to 12 mL/g dry bark) on the yield of extractives was studied. The effects of all three of the factors were explained. The results revealed that the optimum conditions were a liquid/solid ratio of 12.0 mL/g dry bark, extraction temperature of 100 °C, and extraction time of 13.4 min.