Sequential and fractional cold extraction of Plantago major and Plantago tomentosa seeds

Abstract

This study investigated the recovery of phytochemical and biological activities in extracts from Plantago major and Plantago tomentosa seeds using different solvents. Through sequential and fractional cold extraction, using solvents with increasing polarity (n-hexane, dichloromethane, and ethanol) in the recovery of total polyphenols, flavonoids, tannins, toxicity, antioxidant, and antimicrobial activity were determined. Extracts from P. major presented 5.9, 1.35 and, 4.2 times more total polyphenols, flavonoids, and tannins than P. tomentosa, respectively. The ethanolic extract from P. major showed the high antioxidant activity, however in P. tomentosa it was observed in the dichloromethane extract. All extracts had a good minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) against Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes, Escherichia coli, and Salmonella choleraesuis. The dichloromethane and ethanol extracts, of both seeds, did not show toxicity to Artemia salina. The sequential and fractional cold extraction using different solvents showed an excellent alternative to obtain high biological activity from Plantago seeds.