ULTRASOUND-ASSISTED EXTRACTION OF PHOTOSYNTHETIC PIGMENTS FROM DRIED DILL (ANETHUM GRAVEOLENS)

Abstract

Extraction is an important step in studies involving the isolation of active compounds from plant materials. Ultrasound assisted extraction (UAE) is a simple, inexpensive and efficient technique due to shortened extraction time and reduced organic solvent consumption compared with other extraction method. Chlorophyll extracts are used extensively as dye in coloring inks, resins, soaps and waxes, edible fats, cosmetics, lotions perfume. Some experimental data suggest also that chlorophyll may ameliorate drug side effects, may have some anti-mutagenic and anti-carcinogenic potential and it may help protect against some toxins. The aim of this study was to determine the influence of ultrasound extraction parameters, like acetone volume (80%, 90%, 100%), ultrasounds exposure time and ratio solvent/material on the extraction of photosynthetic pigments from dill (Anethum graveolens). Ultraviolet spectroscopy was used to evaluate the efficiency of this extraction method and it was also used to quantitatively analyse the extracted chlorophylls and carotenoids. Results show that the extraction efficiency of photosynthetic pigments from dried dill was higher when using acetone 90% comparative to the other two concentrations, because the highest level of total chlorophyll obtained was of 4,53mg/g dried dill in acetone 90% after 15 min. exposure to ultrasounds.

The results suggest that UAE method is an efficient technique for extraction of photosynthetic pigments.