A holistic approach for microwave assisted solvent extraction of phenolic compounds from Ficus benghalensis fruits and its phytochemical profiling

Abstract

AbstractFicus benghalensis is a fig species spread throughout Asia, especially India, which finds its place in the tradition Indian system of medicines for their renowned protective properties. This study explores the extraction and identification of phytochemicals from the fruits of Ficus benghalensis using a time‐saving nonconventional technique of microwave assisted solvent extraction (MASE). The influence of independent variables (viz., solid‐solvent ratio, microwave power and irradiation time) on the maximum total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) values was analyzed and optimized using response surface methodology (RSM) with a Box–Behnken Design. The maximum values of TPC (340.14 ± 0.34 mg/g) and TFC (413.64 ± 0.19 mg/g) were found at a shorter extraction time of 5 min, solid‐solvent ratio of 1:17 g/ml and microwave power of 420 W. The GC chromatogram was used for the phenolic distribution analysis and screening of the secondary metabolites. The GC spectra showed the presence of 26 biologically active secondary metabolites. 7‐tetradecenal (Z) (42.14%) was the predominant compound followed by n‐hexadecanoic acid (20.61%) and octadecanoic acid (14.07%). These compounds, along with others reportedly exhibit anticancer, antioxidant, anti‐diabetic, and antibacterial activities, thereby validating the traditional uses of the Ficus benghalensis fruit as a pharmaceutical supplement.Practical applicationThe outcome of this work shows a time‐saving method of phytochemical extraction which can be used for extracting valuable metabolites from Ficus benghalensis fruits. Moreover, findings from this research work will aid as a baseline to facilitate future studies in the isolation and purification of the identified pharmaceutically active phytochemicals present in the Ficus benghalensis fruit extract. This can be further used to increase the fruits' bioprospecting.