Abstract
The current study aimed to investigate the effect of different microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) parameters (i.e., particle size of the sample, solid-to-liquid ratio, microwave power, and extraction time) on the total phenolic content (TPC), antioxidant capacity (DPPH and CUPRAC), chlorogenic acid and caffeic acid contents of shiitake mushrooms. All the independent variables affected TPC and antioxidant capacity values. Only the sample particle size had no significant effect on phenolic acid contents. The highest TPC, DPPH, and CUPRAC values were obtained when a particle size of 1.75 mm, solid-to-liquid ratio of 1/40, microwave power of 600 W, and extraction time of 15 min were used. The extracts obtained by MAE were compared with those obtained after hot-water extraction (HWE) and organic-solvent extraction (OSE). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) confirmed that MAE resulted in cell wall disruption which might be due to an increase in the pressure of the inner part of the cells.