Extraction of total phenolic content from Azadirachta indica or (neem) leaves: Kinetics study.

The objective of this work is to put forth the optimization and kinetics of total phenolic compounds extraction from Azadirachta indica leaves in a stirred batch extraction. Various experiential extraction parameters have been studied for maximum extraction of the total phenolic compounds. The maximum yield of total phenolic compounds was found to be 10.80 mg g-1 of dried neem powder under the optimized conditions. The extraction kinetics behavior followed first-order kinetics with diffusion coefficient ranged from 1.8 × 10-12 to 3.2 × 10-12 m2 s-1 for all sets. Activation energy (Ea) value for the extraction of the total phenolic compounds was found to be 22.87 kJ mol-1. The kinetic expression model developed by Spiro and Siddique showed a good agreement with the experimental outcomes. The obtained results can be used to scale up the operations for industrial purposes.