Author

Ruqayya Shabbir Manasawala and Devangi Parag Chachad*

Abstract

Phytochemicals have gained popularity in the field of nutraceuticals, pharmaceuticals, and cosmeceuticals due to their multiple health benefits. An important class of phytochemicals – Flavonoids, a powerful class of antioxidants, that help protect the body from harmful free radicals. Hence, extraction and utilization of flavonoids have gained research interest. Selection of correct extraction method is essential to isolate stable flavonoids from plants. The current study compares the efficiency of two conventional extraction methods viz, cold maceration and hot continuous solid-liquid extraction (Soxhlet) for extraction from flowers of Cassia and Senna sps. viz. Cassia fistula, Cassia roxburghii, Senna alata and Senna siamea. The extraction efficacy was evaluated by comparing the methanolic extracts of flowers in terms of their total phenolic content, total flavonoid content, antioxidant power in terms of % RSA for DPPH and ABTS along with absorption spectra. Higher phenolic content of 39 – 61 mg GAE/g and flavonoid content of 0.46 - 1.03 mg RE/g was reported in hydro methanolic Soxhlet extracts compared to 6.15 – 11.09 mg GAE/g and 0.32 – 0.93 mg RE/g in cold extracts. Similarly, higher antioxidant potential was observed in Soxhlet extracts compared to cold extracts with Senna siamea reporting highest % DPPH scavenging activity of 68.66% and Cassia roxburghii with highest %ABTS scavenging activity of 54.93%. However, the absorption spectra of the Soxhlet and cold maceration extracts were found to be identical.

Pages:  190-198

Doi Number 10.61289/jibs2026.05.02.521

Keywords Antioxidant, Cassia, Senna, Cold maceration, Soxhlet extraction.