Optimizing Maceration Extraction of Myristicin and Methyl Eugenol from Nutmeg (Myristica fragrans Houtt.): An RSM Box–Behnken Approach

Dewi Murniati; Irmanida Batubara; Utami Dyah Syafitri; Deden Saprudin; Budi Riza Putra

doi:10.14710/jksa.29.3.217-226

DOI: https://doi.org/10.14710/jksa.29.3.217-226

Optimizing Maceration Extraction of Myristicin and Methyl Eugenol from Nutmeg (Myristica fragrans Houtt.): An RSM Box–Behnken Approach

Dewi Murniati^{1, 2}, Irmanida Batubara^{3, 4}

, Utami Dyah Syafitri^{4, 5}

, Deden Saprudin³

, Budi Riza Putra⁶

¹Chemistry Science Doctoral Program, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, IPB University, Bogor, Indonesia

²Chemistry Education Study Program, Faculty of Islamic Education and Teacher Training, Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University Jakarta, Indonesia

³Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Science, IPB University, Bogor, Indonesia

⁴ Tropical Biopharmaca Research Center, International Research Institute of Food, Nutrition, and Health, IPB University, Bogor, Indonesia

⁵ Study Program of Statistics and Data Science, IPB University, Bogor, Indonesia

⁶ Research Center for Metallurgy, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), South Tangerang, Indonesia

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Received: 25 Nov 2025; Revised: 3 Mar 2026; Accepted: 30 Mar 2026; Published: 22 Apr 2026.

BibTex Citation Data :

@article{JKSA79616,
    author = {Dewi Murniati and Irmanida Batubara and Utami Dyah Syafitri and Deden Saprudin and Budi Riza Putra},
    title = {Optimizing Maceration Extraction of Myristicin and Methyl Eugenol from Nutmeg (Myristica fragrans Houtt.): An RSM Box–Behnken Approach},
    journal = {Jurnal Kimia Sains dan Aplikasi},
  volume = {29},
    number = {3},
    year = {2026},
    keywords = {myristicin; methyl eugenol; Response Surface Methodology; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; Design Expert},
    abstract = {Myristicin is the key marker of nutmeg ( Myristica fragrans ) quality, while methyl eugenol is an undesirable compound requiring strict monitoring. This study aimed to optimize the extraction conditions of these compounds from nutmeg seeds and mace as a pretreatment step prior to electrochemical quantification. Optimization was performed using Response Surface Methodology (RSM) with a Box–Behnken Design (BBD), considering extraction time (h), ethanol concentration (%), and the sample-to-solvent ratio (g/mL) as independent variables. The analytes were quantified by Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS), and the experimental data were modeled using Design Expert software. Regression models indicated that ethanol concentration and solvent volume significantly influenced extraction yields, while extraction time had a statistically minimal effect (p-values > 0.05, small effect sizes). Nevertheless, practical differences were observed between matrices: nutmeg seeds reached optimal extraction within 2 hours, whereas mace required 17 hours, likely due to its higher essential oil content and fibrous structure, which slows diffusion kinetics. Thus, although time effects were not statistically significant, extended extraction was practically preferred for mace to ensure adequate recovery. Response definitions were specified as follows: Y1 = myristicin concentration (mg/mL), Y2 = methyl eugenol concentration (mg/mL), and % extraction yield. The optimal extraction conditions were achieved with 90% ethanol and 50 mL solvent, maximizing analyte detectability while maintaining reproducibility across seed and mace extracts. These optimized ethanolic matrices are compatible with subsequent electrochemical quantification, given their aqueous/ethanolic composition and anticipated sensitivity of electrochemical detection.},
   issn = {2597-9914},   pages = {217--226}  doi = {10.14710/jksa.29.3.217-226},
    url = {https://ejournal.undip.ac.id/index.php/ksa/article/view/79616}
}

Citation Format:

Abstract

Myristicin is the key marker of nutmeg (Myristica fragrans) quality, while methyl eugenol is an undesirable compound requiring strict monitoring. This study aimed to optimize the extraction conditions of these compounds from nutmeg seeds and mace as a pretreatment step prior to electrochemical quantification. Optimization was performed using Response Surface Methodology (RSM) with a Box–Behnken Design (BBD), considering extraction time (h), ethanol concentration (%), and the sample-to-solvent ratio (g/mL) as independent variables. The analytes were quantified by Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS), and the experimental data were modeled using Design Expert software. Regression models indicated that ethanol concentration and solvent volume significantly influenced extraction yields, while extraction time had a statistically minimal effect (p-values > 0.05, small effect sizes). Nevertheless, practical differences were observed between matrices: nutmeg seeds reached optimal extraction within 2 hours, whereas mace required 17 hours, likely due to its higher essential oil content and fibrous structure, which slows diffusion kinetics. Thus, although time effects were not statistically significant, extended extraction was practically preferred for mace to ensure adequate recovery. Response definitions were specified as follows: Y1 = myristicin concentration (mg/mL), Y2 = methyl eugenol concentration (mg/mL), and % extraction yield. The optimal extraction conditions were achieved with 90% ethanol and 50 mL solvent, maximizing analyte detectability while maintaining reproducibility across seed and mace extracts. These optimized ethanolic matrices are compatible with subsequent electrochemical quantification, given their aqueous/ethanolic composition and anticipated sensitivity of electrochemical detection.

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Keywords: myristicin; methyl eugenol; Response Surface Methodology; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; Design Expert

Funding: Directorate General of Research and Development of the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology in accordance with the Research Program Implementation Contract for Fiscal Year 2025 under contract 006/C3/DT.05.00/PL/2025

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Section: Research Articles

Language : EN

In Vol 29, No 3 (2026): Volume 29 Issue 3 Year 2026

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