Enhancing the yield of antitubercular compounds from fenugreek [Trigonella foenum-graecum (Methi)] seeds using response surface methodology

Abstract

The Plackett-Burman design was applied to determine the factors significant for the enhancement of antitubercular compound yield from fenugreek [Trigonella foenum-graecum (Methi)] seeds crude extract. By optimizing various conditions like solid-to-solvent ratio, time, shaking rate, temperature, seed particle size, and light yield of antitubercular compounds from fenugreek seeds studied in a batch system, a mathematical model was constructed showing the influence of each variable. The optimal level of each variable and its interaction with each other were determined by response surface methodology. A highly significant model was generated, with correlation coefficients (R 2 ) of 0.9109 and 0.8307 for adjusted correlation coefficients (R 2 ). Using this model, it was possible to achieve more than 90% of anti-TB compound yield from fenugreek seed crude extract, which could be produced when solid-to-solvent ratio, temperature, and time were set at 15 ml, 30°C, and 36 hours, respectively. Resazurin microtiter assay was used to determine the in-vitro antitubercular activity of the crude seed extract against Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The model accurately predicted the percentage yield and antitubercular effect of the crude extract.