초록
Response Surface Methodology (RSM) via Central Composite Design (CCD) was used to optimize the alkaline hydrolysis of paddy straw to improve ferulic acid extraction. The parameters involved, namely temperature (<SUP>o</SUP>C), concentration of NaOH (M) and duration of extraction (h) are screened by Full Factorial Studies (FFD). The result obtained from FFD was 0.518% (5.18mg/g). The interactions between each parameters involved were studied using Central Composite Design (CCD). Upon optimization, the percentage of ferulic acid improved from 0.518% to 0.817% (8.17mg/g). The optimum conditions obtained from this study are 125<SUP>o</SUP>C, 3.90M, 2.30h for temperature, concentration of NaOH and extraction time, respectively. This result shows a significant improvement than the previous published work. Details of the experimental design, statistical analysis and interpretation are discussed below.