Optimization of extraction parameters for target bioactive compounds from Echium vulgare L. herb

Introduction. Plants of the genus Echium L., particularly Echium vulgare L., the most widespread species in Russia, are known to contain phenolic compounds including flavonoids and hydroxycinnamic acids responsible for antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activities. Optimization of extraction parameters is an essential stage in the development of phytopharmaceutical preparations based on plant raw materials.

Aim. To determine optimal technological parameters for the extraction of flavonoids and hydroxycinnamic acids from Echium vulgare L. herb.

Materials and methods. The study was carried out using Echium vulgare L. herb collected during the flowering stage in the Novosibirsk region. The influence of particle size, ethanol concentration in the extractant, raw material-to-solvent ratio, extraction temperature and time, as well as the number of extraction cycles was investigated. Quantitative determination of flavonoids and hydroxycinnamic acids was performed by spectrophotometry. Optimization of the temperature-time extraction regime was carried out using a second-order D-optimal experimental design.

Results and discussion. The optimal particle size of plant material was determined to be 0.2–1.0 mm. The highest extraction efficiency of phenolic compounds was achieved when using aqueous ethanol solutions containing 40–70 % ethanol. The optimal raw material-to-extractant ratio was 1 : 30 – 1 : 50. The maximum flavonoid yield was observed at an extraction temperature of 80–100 °C and extraction time of 20–40 min. Two extraction cycles ensured extraction of more than 92 % of target compounds.

Conclusion. The obtained results allowed determination of rational extraction parameters for bioactive compounds from Echium vulgare L. herb, providing a high yield of phenolic compounds with technological and economic efficiency of the process.

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