Stability Studies of Bioactive Compounds from Birch Outer Bark Ethanolic Extracts

Abstract

The literature survey summarizes information about birch outer bark phytochemical composition and details major components: betulin, betulinic acid, lupeol and ursolic acid. In the practical part of research birch outer bark major component stability against chemical and physical degradation was tested; total phenolic content and the antiradical activity of the degraded and nondegraded ethanolic extracts was studied using UV/VIS spectroscopy; the phytochemical composition of the birch outer bark ethanolic extract was investigated by HPLC-TOF/MS. The study of stability experiments has been carried out, which found that birch outer bark ethanolic extract compounds can be exposed to thermal and humidity degradation as well as exposure to β radiation, as extractants do not decompose in these degradation conditions. Acid or base degradation and oxidative degradation lead to partial degradation of the extracts. This kind of study for birch outer bark extract is not described and will serve as a basis for determining the expiry date of the extract containing cosmetic products and food additives, the choice of the required product packaging and storage conditions.