Application of Biosolvents for the Extraction of Anthocyanins From Gulfatma Flowers (Alcea Apterocarpa (Fenzl) Boiss): Optimization and Stability Approaches

Abstract

The gulfatma flower (Alcea apterocarpa Fenzl Boiss) is used as remedy to treat many diseases since centuries. In this study, biosolvents such as glycerol, 1,3-butanediol, and ethyl alcohol were used extract and optimize anthocyanin s from gulfatma flower by applying the central composite of response surface methodology (RSM) considering tem-perature and amount of solvent as independent variables. The effects of independent variables on total anthocyanin content (TAC) and antioxidant activity were investigated. The optimum conditions were 85 degrees C and 85% for glycerol, 85 degrees C and 50.18% for 1,3-butanediol, and 75 degrees C and 55.18% for ethyl alcohol. Under these optimum conditions, the TAC was 8.38, 7.46, and 8.04 mg/g; DPPH free radical scavenging activity (DPPH) was 165.61, 188.55, and 206.99 mmol/g; and iron-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) was 332.28, 437.54, and 265.79 mmol/g for glycerol, 1,3-butanediol, and ethyl alcohol, respectively. In addition, anthocyanin profiles were also investigated by HPLC at the optimum points. According to HPLC results, cyanidin-3-glucoside, cyanidin-3-rutinoside, pelargonidin-3-glucoside, and cyanidin chloride were found in the extracts. After 7 weeks of storage at room temperature in the dark, the loss of anthocyanins was found to be 42.12% for glycerol, 75.87% for 1,3-butanediol, and 67.74% for ethyl alcohol. After 4 weeks of storage in the light, the loss of anthocyanin was recorded as 45.94% for glycerol, 96.25% for 1,3-butan-ediol, and 97.88% for ethyl alcohol. The anthocyanins were more lost under light and glycerol was found to exert more protective effect more anthocyanins in both dark and light.