摘要:Background and Objective: The importance of Phenolic Compounds (PC) arises from the fact that they possess several biological activities, thus the objective of this study was to reach the optimum method for the extraction of phenolic compounds from Flaxseed Meal (FM). Methodology: The FM was defatted in a soxhelt apparatus; the dried defatted meal was extracted with different solvents and by different techniques to extract PC. This was accomplished by comparing several extraction techniques, namely, Conventional Extraction (CE), ultrasonic assisted extraction (USAE), Microwave Assisted Extraction (MAE), Supercritical Fluid Extraction (SFE) and Enzyme Assisted Extraction (EAE). Using CE several solvents were investigated, namely, methanol, ethanol, acetone, isopropanol 80% and distilled water. Results: Distilled water extracted optimal amount of PC, 7.76 mg PC g1 FM. When meal: Water ratio was examined 1:100 ratio resulted in 10.77 mg PC g1 FM. Time and temperature were then investigated, best extraction was achieved at 35°C and 90 min. The pH of the extraction media was then tested. Solubility of PC increased towards the alkaline pHs reaching 22.55 mg PC g1 FM. The USAE was then investigated. Here speed 2, 4, 6, 8 and time 30, 60, 90, 120 min were tested. Highest extraction was reached at 35°C, 120 min, speed 8 and gave 17.44 mg PC g1 FM. The MAE resulted in 11.20 mg PC g1 FM at 10 MW microwave power and 10 min extraction time. Supercritical extraction gave traces of PC. Enzymes used in the enzymatic extraction of PC were Protease (P) and Macerozyme (M), protease extracted 24.0 mg PC g1 FM, while (M) extracted 16.27 mg PC g1 FM. Mixed enzyme (P:M, 1:1) resulted in 27.52 mg PC g1 FM. The parameters investigated while using (P:M) were enzyme concentration 1, 2 and 3% (P:M ratio), 1:1, 2:1 and 1:2, time of extraction 1, 3 and 6 h. Highest extraction was achieved at 3% enzyme concentration, 2:1 P:M ratio and 6 h yielding 22.21 mg PC g1 FM. The optimum extraction of PC from FM was determined by enzyme assisted extraction using mixture of enzyme and concentration 3% after 6 h. The HPLC analysis of all the PC extracts resulting from the different extraction techniques indicated that PC extracted by different solvents differed according to polarity. As to the water extract and USAE, MAE and EAE, which were all water extracts by different techniques also differed from one another. Conclusion: Enzyme assisted extraction resulted in optimum extraction of PC, followed by USAE, yet we preferred to choose to continue the work with USAE because of the high price of the enzymes and the cost of the process. The ultrasonic bath is a simple cheap appliance that can be used on any scale desired and does not need any chemicals or space.