Abstract
The aim of the present study was the optimization of the extraction conditions (particle size, solid-to-solvent ratio, extraction time and procedure) via total polyphenol content and radical scavenging activity, using wild thyme as a natural source of polyphenols. According to the total polyphenols yield, particle size, solvent-to-solid ratio and extraction technique have shown statistically significant influence, whereas the exposure time has not been relevant factor. In all three extraction procedures (maceration, heat- and ultrasound-assisted extraction), the highest polyphenols yield was reached using the smallest plant particles and the highest solvent-to-solid ratio. Moreover, polyphenols content was significantly better after ultrasound-assisted extraction, in comparison to the extraction at room and high temperature. According to the antioxidant recovery, the influence of different extraction parameters varied depending on the applied antioxidant tests and extraction procedures. 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) ˗ ABTS radical scavenging capacity of extracts followed the next trend: maceration and ultrasound-assisted extraction > heat-assisted extraction, while in 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl ˗ DPPH neutralization: ultrasound-assisted extraction > heat-assisted extraction >> maceration. The study represents an important step in formulation of antioxidants-rich extracts with potential use in food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industry.
Highlights
Polyphenols, presented in various natural sources, possess numerous biological effects, such are antioxidant, anticarcinogenic, anti-inflammatory, gastroprotective, antiallergic and antimicrobial properties (Boros et al, 2010; Nikolicet al., 2014; Spormann et al, 2008)
According to the total polyphenols yield, the presented data indicated that particle size, solvent-to-solid ratio and extraction technique have shown statistically significant effect, whereas the exposure time was shown not to be a significant factor
In all three extraction procedures, the best polyphenols yield was achieved by using the smallest particles and the highest solvent-to-solid ratio
Summary
Polyphenols, presented in various natural sources, possess numerous biological effects, such are antioxidant, anticarcinogenic, anti-inflammatory, gastroprotective, antiallergic and antimicrobial properties (Boros et al, 2010; Nikolicet al., 2014; Spormann et al, 2008). With the aim to produce a healthy, natural and low-cost alternative to synthetic additives that can manifest some toxic effects, different polyphenol extraction techniques were estimated (Canadanovic-Brunet et al, 2006). The aim of the presented study was the examination of the influence of different extraction conditions: (1) particle size (0.3, 0.7 and 1.5 mm), (2) solvent-to-drug ratio (10:1, 20:1 and 30:1), (3) extraction procedure (maceration, heatand ultrasound-assisted extraction) and (4) time (depending on the applied extraction technique) on total polyphenols content and radical scavenging activity. This work represents the expansion of previously published study (Jovanovicet al., 2017a), with the aim to investigate different Thymus serpyllum extracts obtained by using absolute ethanol
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