Abstract:

The optimal conditions for microwave-assisted extraction of melanin from black rice were investigated by the orthogonal experiment. The content of melanin as research index in the extract was tested by spectrophotometry and the influencing factors of melanin were optimized. The results suggested that the ethanol concentration should be the statistically significant factor. The optimal parameters of the extraction process were as follows: ethanol concentration (80%), solid/liquid rate (1:20), microwave output power (480W) and microwave irradiation time (120s). Under the optimal experimental condition the extraction rate of melanin from black rice reached 3.2%, which was increased by a fctor of 2.2 compared with the former data.