Extraction methods for preparation of bioactive plant extracts

Dr. Vijay Kothari is currently affiliated with Nirma University. He has 25 publications to his credit, and has guided 36 M.Sc. theses. His research interests include Plant Antimicrobials, Extraction methods for Plants, Biological Applications of Microwaves, Halophilic Microbes, etc. He has been on reviewer panel / editorial board of many journals.

Efficacy of plant extracts may in some cases be dependent on extraction efficiency. Screening the crude plant extracts for the desired bioactivity is among the most important operations in medicinal plant research, and extraction is the first crucial step of the process. To have a complete idea of bioactivity of crude extracts, it becomes necessary to optimize the extraction methodology, so as to achieve maximum possible extraction efficiency. The development of modern sample preparation techniques (such as microwave assisted extraction, ultrasonication assisted extraction, supercritical fluid extraction, etc.) has brought significant advantages over conventional methods in terms of reduction in organic solvent consumption and in minimizing sample degradation.Present study aimed at comparing different extraction method with respect to their ability to extract antioxidant and antibacterial components from plant seeds. This work would be of interest to those who are working on Bioactive Plant Products, and Extraction Methods for their preparation.