INFLUENCE OF SOLVENT TYPE ON THE PHENOLIC CONTENT AND ANTIMICROBIAL AND ANTIOXIDANT PROPERTIES OF ECHIUM VULGARE L. EXTRACTS

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate influence of solvent type on the phenolic content and antimicrobial and antioxidant properties of Echium vulgare L. extracts. The following solvents were used in the study: ethanol, acetone, chloroform, petroleum and ethyl acetate. The content of phenols, flavonoids and tannins was determined by spectrophotometric methods, while the identification and quantification of polyphenolic compounds was performed by chromatographic method. Determination of antimicrobial activity was done by microdilution method, while several methods were used in the evaluation of antioxidant activity of plant extracts. The ethanolic extract had the highest content of phenols and flavonoids, while chloroform extract had the highest content of tannins. The ethanolic extract exhibited the best antioxidant potential compared to other extracts, and ethanolic and chloroform extracts manifested the best antimicrobial activity.