| Terminalia chebula Retz. is a popular plant used in development as the active ingredient for traditional medicines, cosmetics and dietary supplements. This research aimed to create the mathematical modeling and optimize the extraction yields of phenolic compounds from its fruits using an ultrasonic assisted extraction. The central composite design was applied to study the influence of operational parameters [ethanol concentrations, extraction temperatures and irradiation times] on yields of phenolic compounds, gallic acid and ellagic acid. Chemical compositions of the resulting extract from the optimized conditions were identified by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. The extraction efficiency of the developed method was also compared to that of a conventional technique. The best conditions to obtain the maximum yield of the desired variables were 45 kHz ultrasonic frequencies, 1=10 g/mL of plant material to 75%ethanol, 75 oC, and 60 min. These conditions gave extraction yields of total phenolic compounds, gallic acid, and ellagic acid of 7.24±0.41 mg GAE/g, 7.32±0.29 mg/g, and 73.61±2.90 mg/g, respectively. The experimental values of the optimal conditions were good agreement with the predicted values (p>0.05). Of 12 identified compounds, gallic acid and ellagic acid should be selected as the chemical markers of the plant extract. The extraction method was also more efficient than traditional extraction methods. This study offers the effectively operational conditions in the extraction of bioactive compounds from T. chebula fruits. This phenolic-enriched extracts may be used as a valuable natural source for health benefits. |