Solid-state fermentation of apple pomace using Phanerocheate chrysosporium – Liberation and extraction of phenolic antioxidants

Apple pomace is a by-product from the apple processing industry and can be used for the production of value-added phenolic compounds. A study was carried out to understand the changes and liberation of phenolic compounds and improvement in antioxidant activity during solid-state fermentation of apple pomace using Phanerocheate chrysosporium. The solid-state fermentation of apple pomace using P. chrysosporium mobilised the polyphenolic compounds and improved the nutraceutical properties. The polyphenol content in acetone extract increased and the results were statistically significant (P < 0.05) from 4.6 to 16.12 mg GAE/g dry weight during solid-state fermentation. The effect of various solvents, temperature, time and detergents were also investigated for the extraction of polyphenolics by ultrasonication and microwave-assisted extraction methods. The polyphenol content of the extracts was found to be in the range of 5.78–16.12 mg GAE/g DW of samples, depending on the solvent, extraction time and temperature. Antioxidant activities of polyphenol extracts were tested using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryhydrazyl (DPPH) radical methods, where the IC50 ranged from 12.24 to 23.42 μg DW sample, depending on the extraction conditions and the antioxidant activities correlated well with the polyphenol concentrations.