Effect of Solvent Polarity and Extraction Method on Phytochemical Composition and Antioxidant Potential of Corn Silk

Abstract

Objectives: Corn silk is an underutilized part of corn which possesses great medicinal importance. The present study was planned to determine the phytochemical composition and antioxidant potential of corn silk extracts, obtained by different extraction methods using a series of solvents with increasing polarity. Methods: Three extraction methods 1) individual extraction in each solvent, 2) consecutive extraction in solvents of increasing polarity and 3) consecutive extraction of crude methanolic extract in solvents of increasing polarity and a series of five solvents with increasing polarity were used for extraction of phytochemicals. The extracts were analyzed for phytochemical composition and antioxidant potential. Results: Corn silk was found to contain a variety of bioactive phytochemical compounds including phenolic acids, flavonoids, ascorbic acid, tannins and cardiac glycosides. The corn silk phytochemicals were extracted more in high polarity solvents which showed comparatively good phytochemical composition and strong antioxidants potential. Regression analysis of experimental data showed a polarity dependent increase in extraction yield and phytochemical content and free radical scavenging capacity of extracts obtained by various extraction methods. Conclusion: The water extract obtained by individual extraction showed a comparatively high extraction yield and phytochemical content while that obtained by consecutive extraction of crude methanolic extract showed high ability to scavenge free radicals. The study advocates the corn silk as a good source of antioxidant phytochemicals and suggests the use of polar solvents and individual extraction method for extraction of corn silk phytochemicals.

Accelerated Solvent Extractions (ASE) of Mitragyna speciosa Korth. (Kratom) Leaves: Evaluation of Its Cytotoxicity and Antinociceptive Activity

“…Instead, in the TFC analysis, except for EtOH extract (194.00 ± 5.00 QE mg/g), both EtOAc (141.50 ± 10.00 QE mg/g) and MeOH (125.25 ± 1.25 QE mg/g) extracts were comparatively similar to the aqueous extracts (115.25 ± 6.25 QE mg/g). Previous studies have shown that aqueous plant extracts contain low levels of phenolics and flavonoids despite their higher yield, and organic extracts contain high levels of phenolics and flavonoids [ 26 , 29 ]. This observation is apparent in the ASE EtOH extract.…”

Phytotoxic Potential and Phenolic Profile of Extracts from Scrophularia striata

“…Allelopathy is a natural ecological function by which some organisms influence the activity of other organisms living in their surroundings. The influence is achieved by releasing secondary metabolites, also called allelochemicals [ 13 , 14 , 15 ]. The use of synthetic products is commonly discouraged due to their high cost and the ecological problems related to their usage.…”

A Preliminary Up-To-Date Review on Pakistani Medicinal Plants with Potential Antioxidant Activity

“…An inquiry on corn silk from Multan Pakistan showed worthy phytochemical composition with a robust antioxidant activity. A polarity dependent rise in extracts yield, free radical scavenging action and phytochemical content of extracts reinforced with regression analysis of experimental data 68 . Z. mays seeds collected from Sahiwal Pakistan were screened for phytochemicals that showed coumarins, saponins, alkaloids, terpenoids and tannins.…”

“…Phenolic compounds can also be extracted from corn silk extract of Zea mays and these constituents possess great antioxidant activity in nature 147 . Various researchers 68,69,70 documented the antioxidant potential of Z. mays from Pakistan. An inquiry on corn silk from Multan Pakistan showed worthy phytochemical composition with a robust antioxidant activity.…”