Effect of extraction solvents and thermal drying methods on bioactive compounds and antioxidant properties of Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don (Patricia White cultivar)

摘要

Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don (C. roseus) is well known as an important medicinal plant, with compounds such as the vinca alkaloids isolated for their anticancer activity. As such, it is important to determine the effective solvent for bioactive compound extraction from this plant and the suitable drying methods for preparation of starting material. The aims of this study were to determine the effect of extraction solvents and drying methods on bioactive compounds and antioxidant properties of C. roseus. Water was found to be the optimal solvent for phenolic and flavonoid extraction; whereas, methanol was the best solvent for saponin and proanthocyanidin extraction. The data also revealed that vacuum drying at 508C was suitable for drying the leaf and the flower which contained high levels of phenolics and flavonoids, while infrared drying at 35℃ was recommended for drying the stem and the root which had high saponin content.