Eco-Friendly Catechin’s Gambir Extraction Using an Ultrasonic Bath

Abstract

Gambir is an extract from the gambir plant (Uncaria gambir Roxb.) which has high economic value and potential for development. In Indonesia, the largest gambier-producing region is West Sumatra where traditional methods are still used for the processes of harvesting, steaming, pressing, clumping, draining, printing, and drying. Traditionally processed gambir products generally have a variety of catechins which need to be removed to improve purity. In this study, a range of treatments was trialed to do this using readily available equipment and no dangerous chemicals so they could be easily used by local farmers. It was expected that the appropriate treatment will result in higher quality gambir that can be sold at a higher price. The highest antioxidant activity (1.8940 mg/ml) and catechin levels (933.45 µg / mg) were obtained using the ultrasonic extraction process for 90 minutes. The highest polyphenol content was found in gambir without ultrasonic treatment and was 5.0776 mg/ml