Vol. 24, No. 1 (2025), Cat24441 https://doi.org/10.24275/rmiq/Cat24441

Kinetic modeling of solid-liquid extraction of mucilage from Opuntia ficus indica

 

Authors

C. García-Cerqueda, J. Rodríguez-Ramírez, L. Méndez-Lagunas

Abstract

Mucilage, a valuable hydrocolloid, constitutes approximately 14% of the dry weight of cladodes. This study explores the kinetic modeling of solid-liquid extraction of mucilage from Opuntia ficus-indica cladodes, focusing on extraction mechanisms and kinetic parameters. The extraction process depends on temperature, solvent ratio, and pH, influencing solvent penetration, solubilization, and mucilage diffusion. Both pretreated cladodes (with acetone to remove pigments) and untreated samples were evaluated. The extraction was performed at 70 °C, with a 3:1 mass-to-water ratio, 90 minutes of agitation, and varying pH levels. Kinetic analysis used galacturonic acid content as an indirect measure of mucilage. Three models were assessed: the First-order model, which explained the initial rapid phase; Peleg’s model, which described hyperbolic behavior; and the two-site model, which best represented both fast and slow extraction phases. The study found that an acidic solvent (pH 3) significantly improved extraction, while acetone pretreatment had a negative effect on the rate. The two-site model provided the best fit for the data, offering a complete understanding of the extraction kinetics.

Keywords

Mucilage, solid-liquid extraction, galacturonic acid, kinetics.

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