Evaluation of two methods for the extraction of antioxidants from medicinal plants.
The efficiencies of two traditional extraction methods used in Chinese medicine (the decoction method and the maceration method) were evaluated for the extraction of antioxidants from medicinal plants. A group of medicinal plants possessing nutritious and tonic functions were chosen as model plants. A commonly used extraction method was used as a reference method. The antioxidant capacities and total phenolic contents of the extracts were measured by ferric-reducing antioxidant power and Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity assays as well as the Folin-Ciocalteu method, respectively. The results obtained indicated that the two traditional extraction methods could effectively extract antioxidants from medicinal plants. These extraction methods can be applied to the analysis and purification of antioxidants in plants, respectively. At home, people can use these methods to extract antioxidants from plants for consumption. In the food industry, these methods could be utilized to prepare crude extracts from plants containing antioxidants for use as food additives.
Li
Hua-Bin
HB
Department of Botany, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, China. hbli@hkucc.hku.hk
Jiang
Yue
Y
Wong
Chi-Chun
CC
Cheng
Ka-Wing
KW
Chen
Feng
F
D000975:Antioxidants / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D052160:Benzothiazoles / Q000737:chemistry; D002623:Chemistry Techniques, Analytical / Q000379:methods; D002839:Chromans / Q000737:chemistry; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification; D000431:Ethanol / Q000737:chemistry; D005296:Ferrous Compounds / Q000737:chemistry; D007501:Iron / Q000737:chemistry; D008516:Medicine, Chinese Traditional / Q000379:methods*; D000432:Methanol / Q000737:chemistry; D008982:Molybdenum / Q000737:chemistry; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D010636:Phenols / Q000032:analysis; D010946:Plants, Medicinal / Q000737:chemistry*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013451:Sulfonic Acids / Q000737:chemistry; D014227:Triazines / Q000737:chemistry; D017973:Tungsten Compounds / Q000737:chemistry; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry
D000975:Antioxidants; D052160:Benzothiazoles; D002839:Chromans; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D005296:Ferrous Compounds; C029556:Folin's phenol reagent; D010636:Phenols; D013451:Sulfonic Acids; D014227:Triazines; D017973:Tungsten Compounds; D014867:Water; C002502:2,2'-azino-di-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline)-6-sulfonic acid; C020748:ferrous sulfate; D000431:Ethanol; D008982:Molybdenum; D007501:Iron; C010643:6-hydroxy-2,5,7,8-tetramethylchroman-2-carboxylic acid; D000432:Methanol; C002849:2,4,6-tripyridyl-s-triazine