Pulsed electric field–assisted green extraction of cocoa pod husk: enhancement of antioxidant and tyrosinase inhibitory activities

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Published: Dec 31, 2025
DOI: https://doi.org/10.14456/jsat.2025.8
Keywords:
Pulse Electric Field Cocoa Pod Husk antioxidant tyrosinase inhibitor SDG 12 BCG model

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Supinan Janma
-
Assoc.Prof.Tanongsak Sassa-deepaeng, Ph.D.
Agricultural Biochemistry Research Unit, Faculty of Science and Agricultural Technology, Rajamangala Universiy of Technology Lanna, Lampang, 52000, Thailand
Asst.prof.Waranya Tharawatchruk
Pat Pranamormkrit,Ph.D.
Sakuntala Saijai,Ph.D.
Asst.prof.Weerin Pheerathamrongrat ,Ph.D.
Asst.prof.Chinanat Witthayaprapakorn,Ph.D.
Chatchawan Kantala ,Ph.D.

Abstract

Cocoa pod husk (CPH), a major by-product of cocoa processing, is an abundant yet underutilized biomass rich in bioactive compounds with promising applications in food, cosmetic, and cosmeceutical industries. This study explored the potential of pulsed electric field (PEF)–assisted green extraction combined with water–ethanol solvent systems to enhance the recovery of bioactive constituents from CPH. The influence of solvent polarity and PEF pulse numbers on extraction performance were systematically evaluated. Extractions were carried out using water and water–ethanol mixtures at ratios of 75:25, 50:50, and 25:75 (v/v), under a PEF treatment at an electric field strength of 6 kV/cm with pulse numbers ranging from 1,000 to 5,000. The resulting extracts were characterized in terms of total phenolic, flavonoid, and tannin contents, reducing sugar levels, antioxidant capacity (DPPH and FRAP assays), and tyrosinase inhibitory activity. The findings revealed that extraction efficiency was strongly dependent on both solvent composition and PEF parameters. Hydroethanolic solvents with intermediate polarity, particularly 50–75% ethanol, significantly enhanced the extraction of phenolics, flavonoids, and tannins compared with water or higher ethanol concentrations. The application of moderate PEF pulse numbers (1,000–3,000 pulses) effectively promoted cell membrane permeabilization, thereby improving mass transfer and facilitating the release of intracellular bioactive compounds. Antioxidant activities determined by DPPH and FRAP assays showed consistent trends, with the highest antioxidant capacity observed under hydroethanolic extraction conditions combined with moderate PEF treatment. Notably, tyrosinase inhibitory activity was maximized in water and hydroethanolic extracts, suggesting that enzyme inhibition is primarily governed by the selective extraction and synergistic interactions of specific phenolic constituents rather than total phenolic content alone. This study demonstrates that PEF-assisted extraction using environmentally friendly water–ethanol solvents is an efficient and sustainable strategy for the valorization of cocoa pod husk, highlighting its strong potential as a functional ingredient for food, cosmetic, and cosmeceutical applications.

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How to Cite
Janma, S., Sassa-deepaeng, T. ., Tharawatchruk, W. ., Pranamormkrit, P. ., Saijai, S. ., Pheerathamrongrat , W. ., Witthayaprapakorn , C. ., & Kantala , C. . (2025). Pulsed electric field–assisted green extraction of cocoa pod husk: enhancement of antioxidant and tyrosinase inhibitory activities. Journal of Science and Agricultural Technology, 6(2), 29–39. https://doi.org/10.14456/jsat.2025.8
Issue
Vol. 6 No. 2 (2025): July-December
Section
Research Article
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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

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