Abstract
A green ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) method using glycerol/water mixtures for extraction of licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) bioactive constituents was developed in this study. The response surface method, according to the Box-Behnken design, was employed to optimize the extraction parameters: glycerol concentration (X1), temperature (X2), and the amount of herbal drug used in the production (X3). The responses were content of total phenols (TP), TP extraction efficiency (TPy) and the content of licorice characteristic constituents, glabridin (Gla) and isoliquiritigenin (Iso). Response surface analysis predicted the optimal extraction conditions for maximized amounts of TP, Tpy, Gla, and Iso. The extracts were prepared using the calculated conditions. The analysis of the selected constituents confirmed the validity of the model. Furthermore, biological activity of the extracts was tested. The results demonstrate that UAE using glycerol is a fast and efficient method for preparation of extracts with excellent radical scavenging, Fe2+ chelating and antioxidant activity. Furthermore, the observed notable tyrosinase and elastase inhibitory activity of the extracts, as well as their anti-inflammatory activity, indicate the anti-aging properties of the investigated extracts. The fact that the extracts were prepared using the safe, cosmetically active solvent, glycerol, makes them suitable for direct use in specialized cosmeceutical formulations.
Highlights
The growing importance of physical appearance in the last century has led to an expansion of sophisticated beauty products purported to have high, almost pharmaceutical, efficacy, sensorial advantages, and safety
Failure to do so could lead to the loss of active compounds, resulting in the loss of biological activity
Efforts were undertaken to optimize the extraction of bioactive phenolics from licorice root
Summary
The growing importance of physical appearance in the last century has led to an expansion of sophisticated beauty products purported to have high, almost pharmaceutical, efficacy, sensorial advantages, and safety. Such products, popularly called cosmeceuticals, are applied on the human skin, making it appear younger and healthier. The products that are derived from natural sources, such as plants, are in special demand, due to the consumers preferences for natural skincare, and because of their numerous beneficial effects on human skin [1]. Before being incorporated into cosmetic products, the bioactive principles of plants need to be extracted from crude plant material. Failure to do so could lead to the loss of active compounds, resulting in the loss of biological activity
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