Abstract
Supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) is a sustainable technique used for the extraction of lipophilic metabolites such as pigments and fatty acids. Arnica plant is considered a potential candidate material with high antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. Therefore, in this study, a locally available Heterotheca inuloides, also known as Mexican arnica, was analyzed for the extraction of high-value compounds. Based on different pressure (P), temperature (T), and co-solvent (CoS), four treatments (T) were prepared. A maximum 7.13% yield was recovered from T2 (T = 60 °C, P = 10 MPa, CoS = 8 g/min), followed by 6.69% from T4 (T = 60 °C, P = 30 MPa, CoS = 4 g/min). Some bioactive sesquiterpenoids such as 7-hydroxycadalene, caryophyllene and δ-cadinene were identified in the extracts by GC/MS. The fatty acid profile revealed that the main components were palmitic acid (C16:0), followed by linoleic acid (C18:2ω6c), α-linolenic acid (C18:3ω3) and stearic acid (C18:0) differing in percent yield per treatment. Antibacterial activities were determined by the agar diffusion method, indicating that all the treatments exerted strong antibacterial activity against S. aureus, C. albicans, and E. coli strains. The antioxidant capacity of the extracts was also measured by three in vitro assays, DPPH, TEAC and FRAP, using Trolox as a standard. Results showed high antioxidant capacity enabling pharmaceutical applications of Mexican arnica.
Highlights
A wider spectrum of naturally occurring plants with medicinal value has been utilized for thousands of years in traditional medicine
Supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) is a sustainable technique used for the extraction of lipophilic metabolites such as pigments and fatty acids
In this study we used a Taguchi design (L4) to analyze the main factors affecting the supercritical extraction of H. inouloides: pressure (100, 30 MPa), temperature (40, 60 ◦C) and co-solvent flow (4 and 8 g/min)
Summary
A wider spectrum of naturally occurring plants with medicinal value has been utilized for thousands of years in traditional medicine. Heterotheca inuloides, (known as Mexican arnica) has attracted a great deal of interest due to its potent characteristics as anti-inflammatory agent, as anti-microbial and anti-oxidant, and as a rich source of high-value compounds [1]. H. inuloides belongs to the Asteraceae family, it is a herbaceous perennial plant and is widely distributed in the mountainous areas in Mexico [2]. Its anti-inflammatory properties are due to the presence of sesquiterpene lactones [4], while its anti-microbial activity and anti-oxidant capacity are attributed to phenolic compounds and flavonoids that act synergistically with the sesquiterpene lactones [5]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
