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ULTRASOUND-ASSISTED EXTRACTION OF TOTAL PHENOLS FROM BLACKTHORN (Prunus spinosa L.) FLOWER

Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa L.) flowers are widely used in phytotherapy and traditional medicine, as they are rich source of polyphenols, especially flavonoids which are responsible for its health promoting effects. The use of ultrasound for extraction purposes is highly effective and quick alternative to traditional extraction processes. However, in order to make the most of its benefits, a careful selection of operating parameters should be done. The aim of this work was to determine the effect of two extraction solvents of different polarity (50 and 70 % ethanol and methanol), ultrasound amplitude (50, 75 and 100 %) and treatment time (3, 6 and 9 minutes) on the extraction of total phenols from blackthorn flowers. According to the ANOVA results, solvent type and ultrasound amplitude significantly affected the concentration of total phenols. It can be observed that ethanol extracts had higher average concentration of total phenols compared to methanol ones, with trend of increase during treatment time when using less polar solution. Contrary, when using methanol as extraction solvent prolongation of treatment time had negative effect on total phenols. The highest concentrations were obtained in less polar solvent solutions (70 %) extracts treated with 100 % amplitude for 6 minutes, regardless of the solvent type.

Blackthorn flowers; ultrasound-assisted extraction; total phenols; solvent polarity

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