An Accurate Embelin Extraction Method for Limited Biomass of Embelia Species

Abstract

The natural benzoquinone, embelin, from the Embelia species has therapeutic benefits in a wide range of diseases. Although several extraction methods and solvents have been explored, consensus on the economic use of material and time was ambiguous. The purpose of this study was to devise a protocol for the rapid estimation of embelin. Chloroform, ethyl acetate and acetone extracts were prepared using soxhlet, microwave, sonication and cold extraction methods. The bioactivity of the chloroform extracts was assayed using the DPPH radical scavenging and the Reducing Power Assays. The embelin content in chloroform and ethyl acetate extracts were better in some extraction methods. The chloroform extracts exhibited antioxidant activity which remained unaffected regardless of the extraction technique. The microwave extraction technique yielded quick and accurate results. This technique could be adopted for rapid screening of samples with limited availability of biomass.