Optimization of Cellulase-Assisted Extraction of Total Flavonoids from Equisetum via Response Surface Methodology Based on Antioxidant Activity

Flavonoids are one of the most essential compounds in various plants. This study used the cellulase-assisted method to extract flavonoid-enriched antioxidants from Equisetum arvense L. (EAL). According to a three-factor and three-level central composite design, the response surface methodology was used to obtain the maximum total flavonoid yield, thereby providing the most potent antioxidant activity of EAL extracts. The results indicated that the optimal condition for the total flavonoid extraction was 0.52% (base substrate) enzyme concentration and enzymolysis for 50.58 min at 49.03 °C. The extraction rate of flavonoids from horsetail reached 4.88 mg/g under these optimal conditions. The yield was 51.23% higher than that from the traditional solid–liquid extraction method. The highest DPPH-scavenging ability of the extracts obtained under 0.50% enzyme concentration and enzymolysis for 49.41 min at 46.59 °C was 77.36%. HPLC results revealed that the antioxidant substances had diverse flavonoids. Thus, the extraction condition was consistent for antioxidant activity and total flavonoids. Therefore, the current study provided an efficient method to extract flavonoid compounds from EAL, facilitating technical support for utilizing the plant.