Optimized ultrasound-assisted extraction of phenolic compounds from Thymus comosus Heuff. ex Griseb. et Schenk (wild thyme) and their bioactive potential

Mihai Babotă, Oleg Frumuzachi, Alexandru Gâvan, Cristian Iacoviță, José Pinela, Lillian Barros, Isabel C.F.R. Ferreira, Leilei Zhang, Luigi Lucini, Gabriele Rocchetti, Corneliu Tanase, Gianina Crișan, Andrei Mocan

Research output: Contribution to journalArticle

Abstract

An optimized ultrasound-assisted extractive method was developed to obtain a polyphenol-enriched extract from the aerial parts of Thymus comosus Heuff. ex Griseb. et Schenk. Optimization process was conducted based on Design of Experiment (DoE) principles, determining the influence of three independent variables (time, ultrasound amplitude, ethanol concentration) on the total phenolic content of the extract (dependent variable). Additionally, the phenolic composition of the extract was characterized through UHPLC-HRMS, revealing beside the most abundant flavonoid-type compounds the presence of salvianolic acids C, D and L in high amounts. Phytochemical profile of the extract was correlated with its antioxidant activity (tested through five complementary assays) and enzyme-inhibitory potential, showing important antiglucosidase and anticholinesterase effects. Overall, it was concluded that the developed method is suitable for obtaining a good recovery of both phenolic and non-phenolic compounds from Thymus comosus aerial parts, and their presence in the optimized extract is responsible for its pharmacological potential.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)N/A-N/A
JournalUltrasonics Sonochemistry
Volume84
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2022

Keywords

  • Design of Experiments
  • Optimisation
  • Phenolic compounds
  • Thymus comosus Heuff. ex Griseb. et Schenk
  • Ultrasound-assisted extraction

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