Abstract:
The isolation of desired active compounds from plant-based materials is largely dependent on the
extraction method performed. As a result, the purpose of this work was to evaluate the different
extraction techniques based on the phytochemicals and antioxidant capacity of Eryngium
foetidum leaves. During the analysis, water was utilized as the solvent, four extraction approaches
were used: sonication (E1, one hour, RT, 40 kHz), Soxhlet (E2, six hours, 105 ºC), maceration with
agitation (E3, six hours, RT, 1000 rpm), and maceration with agitation upon heating (E4, six hours,
60 ºC, 1000 rpm). The extracts were concentrated using a freeze dryer, and the obtained crude
powder was used for further analysis. Standard methods were used for phytochemical screenings
and quantification of total phenolics content (TPC), total flavonoids content (TFC), total tannins
content (TTC), terpenoids content (TC), saponins content (SC), and alkaloids content (AC), while
FRAP and DPPH assays were used to evaluate antioxidant capacity. The results showed that E.
foetidum contains a diverse array of phytochemicals, with the TPC, TTC, TC, and SC account
presenting to be higher in the extraction process E4 (37.37 ± 0.65 mg GAE/g, 36.99 ± 0.64 mg
TAE/g, 0.89 ± 0.01 mM LE/g and 185.84 ± 0.54 mg SE/g, respectively) and lower in the technique
E1. TFC levels were high in E2 (11.84 ± 0.14 mg QE/g), but TFC levels were low in E3. Further, AC
was determined to be greater in E3 (1.67 ± 0.01 mg AE/g) and lower in E2. Total antioxidant
capacity by FRAP assay was higher in E4 (47.17 ± 0.20 mg Trolox Eq/g) and lower in E1. The DPPH
radical scavenging assay IC50 value in E3 was low (12.91 0.02 mg/ml), indicating significant
scavenging activity than others. In conclusion, the extraction technique E4 is a suitable method to
extract antioxidants and polyphenolics from E. foetidum leaves. Because the amount of
phytochemicals and antioxidant capacity vary according on the extraction procedure, an
extraction method that is appropriate for the application should be chosen.
