FT-IR-based fingerprint combined with unsupervised chemometric analysis revealed particle sizes and aqueous-ethanol ratio alter the chemical composition and nutraceutical value of Daucus carota

Abstract

This study reported the effects of particle size of dry powder and the optimum solvent extraction on the nutraceutical value of carrot by observing its FT-IR fingerprint, TPC, TFC, and antioxidant activity. The dried-powdered carrot was ultrasound-assisted extracted using EtOH, water, and EtOH-water. The TFC, TPC, and antioxidant activity were analysed by a colorimetric method using a spectrophotometry UV-Vis. The chemotaxonomy of samples was analysed using FT-IR combined with chemometrics analysis. The TFC, TPC, and antioxidant capacity were significantly different for each sample with the highest TFC, TPC, and antioxidant obtained on particle size 149 μm with EtOH-water (50:50) as the most prominent solvent (19.51 mgQE/g, 9.90 mgGAE/g, IC₅₀: 16.7 ± 0.89 µg/mL). FT-IR profiling of samples also illustrates a minor different pattern of the spectrum, indicating there is a difference in their chemical composition. The particle size and EtOH-water ratio influence the chemical composition and antioxidant activity of carrots.

Keywords: Carrots; FT-IR fingerprint; chemometric analysis; particle size; solvent extraction.