A comparative study of solvent extraction methods for a weed Sphaeranthus amaranthoides Burm.f.: phytocompound evaluation using chromatography (GC/MS and HPLC) and in vitro anti-diabetic activity

• Published in: Biomass conversion and biorefinery 2024-10, Vol.14 (19), p.23805-23824
• Main Authors: Nataraj, Gayathri, Velmurgan, Priyanga, Jagadeesan, Gayathri, Manoharan, Ashwini Lydia, Thangaraj, Parimelazhagan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biotechnology; Energy; Original Article; Renewable and Green Energy
• ISSN: 2190-6815; 2190-6823
• DOI: 10.1007/s13399-023-04515-z

Sphaeranthus amaranthoides Burm. f. (Asteraceae) persists as a perennial herb, and it is used to treat gastric disorders and wounds. This investigation’s objective is to compare S. amaranthoides solvent extraction techniques (maceration and Soxhlet). The research findings revealed an abundance of phytoconstituents, including carbohydrates, phenolic compounds, tannins, and flavonoids. The proximate composition analysis revealed the presence of carbohydrate (198.7 ± 2.71 mg GE/g), starch (142.60 ± 6.13 mg GE/g), protein (51.09 ± 2.90 mg BSAE/g), and amino acids (111.2 ± 1.37 mg LE/g). Successive solvents including hexane, DCM, ethyl acetate, and ethanol were utilized for the extraction process. The ethanol Soxhlet extract exhibited higher phenols (36.98 ± 4.57 mg GAE/g) and tannins (134.02 ± 17.33 mg TAE/g). The ethanol maceration resulted in higher flavonoids (465.45 ± 15.15 mg/g). Comparative analysis showed that macerated ethanol extract displayed higher antioxidant activity including phosphomolybdenum (281.02 ± 5.25 mg AAE/g) and (224.7 ± 1.40 Fe (II)E/g) in FRAP compared to Soxhlet extraction. Furthermore, Soxhlet ethyl acetate extract exhibited a DPPH value of 5.811 µg/mL. The anti-diabetic α-amylase and α-glucosidase in Soxhlet ethanol (96.35%) and hexane (87.44%) extracts showed higher activity. FTIR analysis revealed a frequency range of 700–3400 cm −1 , where all the extracts exhibited the presence of 2360.44 cm −1 corresponding to aliphatic C-H stretching. Soxhlet ethanol extract of HPLC reported high rutin (2635.811 mg/g). GC/MS results indicated the presence of Silanamine n-phenyl at 48.359% and 54.446% in both ethanol extractions, respectively. Graphical Abstract