Value-Added Products by Solvent Extraction and Steam Distillation from Elderberry (Sambucus nigra L.)

Abstract

Medicinal plants are very important in sustainable economic development, in the pharmaceutical industry and in promoting the conservation of biodiversity. The main objective of this work was to obtain extracts and hydrolytes of flowers, leaves and bark of Sambucus nigra, and analyse their possible uses. Two sampling areas in a field were chosen, and collection was carried out at different times, according to the selected parts of the plant. Two techniques were chosen, steam distillation and ethanol and glycerol extraction. The hydrolytes of the different parts of Sambucus nigra can be used in therapeutic applications due to their pH. Distillations of the stems and leaves gave no indication of essential oil, at least with the quantities used. Therefore, the highest percentage of essential oil was found in the flowers. Ethanol was a better extraction solvent than glycerine, with yields of 99% and 90%, respectively. Flower extracts prepared with ethanol showed a total phenolic content of 59.3 ± 2 mg gallic acid equivalent/g and a total flavonoid content of 16.2 ± 0.2 mg quercetin equivalent/g. This research could contribute to the valorisation of this species giving a boost to its reuse from a circular economy perspective.

Sustainable Waste Management in the Production of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants—A Systematic Review

“…Cosmetic industry, as skin tonic or for therapeutic baths. [45] Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.), Greek sage (Salvia fruticosa L.) and Spearmint (Mentha spicata L.)…”

Sustainable Agricultural Practices for the Production of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants: Evidence and Recommendations

“…• Hydrolats from different parts of the elderberry (Sambucus nigra) can be used in therapeutic applications due to their pH and trace amounts of the oils. The hydrolats obtained are milder therapeutic agents than essential oils, non-toxic, and therefore ideal for use as a skin tonic or for therapeutic baths [53].…”

“…The alcoholic extract of elderflower (Sambucus nigra) has good antioxidant activity, and the glycerine extract contains appreciable amounts of anthocyanins and other nutrients. The evaluation of the antimicrobial activity of the extract reveals the great potential of bioactive compounds as nutraceuticals, drugs, and cosmetics for therapeutic purposes [53].…”