Abstract
In this study, ultrasound-assisted solvent extraction (UASE) of moringa seed oil was optimized using single-factor experiments and Box-Behnken response surface methodology. The optimal conditions were an extraction time of 40 min, a solvent-to-material ratio of 8:1 mL/g, an extraction temperature of 40 °C, and ultrasonic power of 120 W, resulting in an oil yield of 36.4%. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis revealed that the oil was rich in unsaturated fatty acids, dominated by oleic acid and linoleic acid. The oil exhibited strong antioxidant activity, with DPPH· and ABTS(+)· radical scavenging rates of 89.54% and 96.68%, respectively, and showed notable antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. Subsequent refining processes, including degumming, deacidification, and decolourisation, significantly reduced acid value, improved colour clarity, and enhanced rheological behaviour while preserving the favourable fatty acid profile. These results demonstrate that optimized UASE combined with appropriate refining effectively improves the quality, functionality, and processability of moringa seed oil, supporting its potential application as a high-value functional edible oil in food, nutraceutical, and cosmetic industries.