Work

Correlation between the degree of ultrasound-induced cell disintegration and the extraction efficiency of intracellular compounds from purple sweet potato

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: • Ultrasound enhances cell permeabilization and the extraction of intracellular compounds. • Correlation between cell disintegration and bio-compounds extraction efficiency was discussed. • The micro-disintegration process within cells under ultrasound field was firstly simulated. • The stronger ultrasound intensity led to lower extraction selectivity. Ultrasound (US) is an effective intensified extraction technology for natural plant resources, but detailed microscale investigations into US-induced plant cell disintegration are lacking. This study explored the correlation between US-induced ( P = 0–800 W, t = 0–40 min) cell disintegration degree and the extraction efficiency of intracellular components from purple sweet potato, also discussing extraction selectivity and visualizing the cell micro-disintegration process. Cell disintegration degree was estimated via electrical conductivity (cell permeabilization index, Z i ) and fractal dimension analysis of damaged cells (cell wall disintegration index, Z d ). Extraction efficiency was evaluated by using the extraction indexes of carbohydrate ( Z c ), protein ( Z p ), and total phenolic compound ( Z TPC ). Results indicated that US markedly enhanced cell permeabilization and intracellular components release. For example, at the highest intensity (800 W, 40 min), the enhancement in carbohydrate, protein and TPC contents were approximately 2 to 7 folds, compared to untreated sample (0 W, 40 min). Extraction efficiencies depended on the applied P and t , with the extractability order was carbohydrate > protein > TPC at each power. Different non-linear correlations between Z d with Z i , Z p , Z c , and Z TPC , reflecting different release behaviors of these water-soluble components after US treatment. Additionally, US favored carbohydrate extraction over protein, but stronger US intensity resulted in lower extraction selectivity. The visual microscale model showed that increasing P elevated cell surface acoustic pressure, cell stress and volume strain. Cell micro-disintegration process would initiate at the side and end faces, then gradually spread to the edges.

Source: Ultrasonics Sonochemistry

DOI: 10.1016/j.ultsonch.2025.107699