Planta Med 2011; 77 - PA39
DOI: 10.1055/s-0031-1282235

Applicability of ultra- and nanofiltration for the concentration of medicinal plant extracts

G Paun 1, E Neagu 1, O Ungureanu 1, GL Radu 2
  • 1National Institute for Research-Development of Biological Sciences, Centre of Bioanalysis, Bucharest, Bulgaria
  • 2Faculty of Applied Chemistry and Materials Science, Politehnica University of Bucharest, Bucharest, Bulgaria

The present investigation revealed the potential benefits of ultra- and nanofiltration application in herbal extracts processing. Helleborus purpurascens Waldst. & Kit., Geranium robertianum L. and Salvia officinalis L. were widely used in traditional medicine. The aqueous extracts of G. robertianum, H. purpurascens and S. officinalis were concentrated by a ultra- and nanofiltration. The experimental results are reported, regarding polyphenols concentration and to evaluate the extracts antioxidant activity. The total polyphenolic content of the extracts was determined using the Folin-Ciocalteu method [1] and the antioxidant capacities were evaluated using DPPH scavenging methods [2]. Three membranes have been used: Millipore (cut-off 10,000 Da) for ultrafiltration, Millipore (cut-off 1,000 Da) and a new type of composite organic-inorganic membrane preparation in laboratory for nanofitration. Concentrations of active compounds up to 6–8 times higher have been obtained in the nanofiltration retentates with composite membrane and 2–5 times higher have been obtained in the nanofiltration retentates with Millipore membrane. The concentrated extracts by nanofiltration have a high antioxidant activity (94.8–97.2% DPPH inhibition for Geranium robertianum concentrated extract, 64.9–69.7% DPPH inhibition for Helleborus purpurascens concentrated extract and 89.2–91.7% DPPH inhibition for Salvia officinalis concentrated extract), thus it can be considered a good source for further medicinal applications.

Acknowledgement: This work was financially supported by the Romanian National Center for Program Management – PN62076/2008.

References: 1. Waterhouse AL (2002) Current Protocols in Food Analytical Chemistry. John Wiley&Sons. New York. 2. Litescu S, Radu GL (2000), European Food Res. and Technol. Part A p.211.