Optimization of technology for dietary fiber extraction from Maixiansan by response surface methodology

Abstract Background Our study aims to determine whether response surface methodology can optimize the extraction of dietary fiber from Maixiansan. Methods A Box–Behnken design was employed to optimize the extraction parameters, including α-amylase concentration (X1: 0.3 – 0.5%), enzymolysis time (X2: 30 – 60 min) and NaOH content (X3: 1.0 – 5.0%), of dietary fiber from Maixiansan using an enzyme–alkali extraction technique. Results The optimal technological conditions were as follows: α-amylase concentration: 0.4%; enzymolysis time: 45 min; NaOH content: 4.0%. Under these conditions, the extraction yield reached 57.14%, which was well consistent with the predicted models with a coefficient of determination (R2) of 0.9818. An evaluation of the anti-inflammatory activity indicated that Maixiansan was able to significantly inhibit dextran sodium sulfate-induced ulcerative colitis in rats by increasing the concentration of short-chain fatty acids (acetate, propionate and butyrate), among which the butyrate content was significantly higher in the Maixiansan group than in the other groups. Conclusion Our experiments showed that response surface methodology can optimize the extraction of dietary fiber from Maixiansan. Maixiansan could be explored as an anti-ulcerative colitis agent.