OPTIMIZATION OF BETA-SITOSTEROL EXTRACTION FROM LEUCAENALEUCOCHEPALA BY MICROWAVE ASSISTED HYDRODISTILLATION

Microwave-assisted hydrodistillatlion (MAH) extraction process can extract phytosterol (beta-sitosterol) from Leucaena leucochepala. The suitable parameter of the extraction process to extract the highest yield of phytosterol srom a plant can be optimized by using central composit design (CCCD). Two parameters extraction process were studied which are duration of time (4 to 8 minutes) and solvent ethanol concentration (55%-95%) to gain the highest yield of extracted beta-sitosterol from Leucaena leucochepala. The Liebermann-Burchard analysis was used to analyse phytosterol content in the extracted from the samples. The CCD model parameter was significant because of the values for Prob>F is less tahn 0.0500 which are 0.006 and value lack of fit F-value which is 5.44 represent only 6.77% chances to occur failure. This indicated the CCD with duration of extraction and the ethanol solvent concentration is the optimum parameter for the extraction of beta-sitosterol (phytosterol) from Leucaena leucochepala legume pod with the highest yield of phytosterol of 0.2717 mg/mL at 75% ethanol and 6 minutes.