Rahim Nikkhah

The present study was conducted to optimize and model the extraction process of phenolic compounds from Chilgoza pine (Pinus gerardiana) seeds using ultrasound technology alongside advanced RSM and ANFIS models. Seed samples were collected from various provinces of Afghanistan, and the effects of factors including extraction method, solvent type, temperature, and time on the yield of bioactive compounds were evaluated. The investigated traits comprised total phenolic and flavonoid contents, flavans, fatty acid profile, specific phenolic compounds, and antioxidant capacity. The findings indicated that the extraction method had a significant effect (P<0.05) on total flavonoids, flavans, and the ABTS index. Furthermore, the climatic factor played a crucial role in the accumulation of these compounds, such that the highest oil extraction yield (51.14%) was observed in Paktika province. In the analysis of specific compounds, the highest and lowest amounts of catechin were recorded in Paktia (99.5 μ"g/g" ) and Paktika (28.5 μ"g/g" ) provinces, respectively. The solvent type was also a determining factor in extraction efficiency; ethanol provided the highest extraction yield of compounds, outperforming the other two solvents. Meanwhile, temperature influenced only certain variables, and time did not exhibit any remarkable impact. Overall, despite the high sensitivity of phenolic compounds to operational conditions and climatic variations, the fatty acid profile demonstrated favorable stability. Therefore, the combined application of ultrasound and an appropriate solvent can be considered an efficient approach for maximizing the extraction of these valuable compounds.