DOI: https://doi.org/10.55373/mjchem.v28i1.514

Keywords: Orange fruit, high-performance, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, alpha-glucosidase

Abstract

The valorization of orange peels (OP) through the extraction of bioactive compounds represents a sustainable strategy consistent with circular economy goals. In this study, ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) was applied to recover phenolic and flavonoid compounds from OP using various solvent systems. The 70% ethanol–water mixture proved to be the most efficient medium. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) revealed high levels of gallic acid, quercetin, and rutin among other phenolic constituents. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents were determined using standard colorimetric methods. The extract exhibited moderate antioxidant capacity with an IC₅₀ value of 1813.75 ppm in DPPH radical scavenging assays. It demonstrated anti-inflammatory activity by reducing TNF-α levels by 20.7% at 100 ppm in diabetic patients with cardiovascular disease. Additionally, significant α-glucosidase inhibition (IC₅₀ = 617.88 ppm) was observed, suggesting its potential in managing postprandial hyperglycemia. Overall, the findings highlight orange peel as a renewable, low-cost source of natural bioactive compounds with promising therapeutic and industrial applications.