The comparison of Ocimum basilicum and Levisticum officinale extracts obtained using different extraction solvents and techniques

Abstract

In the present study, basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) and lovage (Levisticum officinale Koch.) extracts were obtained using maceration, ultrasound- and microwave-assisted extractions (UAE and MAE, respectively). Varying the different extraction solvents, including water, methanol, acetone, and ethyl acetate, the analyses of total polyphenol and flavonoid contents (TPC and TFC, respectively), as well as antioxidant properties (DPPH radical scavenging and cupric ion reducing activities) were carried out for all obtained plants' extracts. The total amount of extractive substances of the selected extracts was also measured. The highest TPC was achieved in water basil extract obtained using UAE, while the highest TFC was determined in the basil extracts prepared using maceration and MAE. The highest level of DPPH radical neutralization was observed for methanol and acetone extracts obtained by maceration (for both plants) as well as UAE and MAE (for lovage). However, the obtained results did not exhibit statistically significant correlation with the TPC and TFC. The highest cupric ion-reducing capacity was measured in methanol lovage extract prepared using UAE and in methanol basil and lovage extracts from MAE. Interestingly, a significantly higher amount of the extractive substances was measured in all methanolic lovage extracts compared to basil parallels. Thus, it can be concluded that the selection of the extraction medium and extraction technique depends on the used plant species, as well as on the future application and purpose (or role) of the prepared extracts.