The objectives of this study were to determine best conditions for the extraction of
phenolic compounds from fresh, frozen and lyophilized basil leaves. The acetone mixtures with
the highest addition of acetic acid extracted most of the phenolic compounds when fresh and
freeze-dried material have been used. The three times procedure was more effective than once
shaking procedure in most of the extracts obtained from fresh basil leaves – unlike the extracts
derived from frozen material. Surprisingly, there were not any significant differences in the content
of phenolics between the two used procedures in the case of lyophilized basil leaves used for
extraction. Additionally, the positive correlation between the phenolic compounds content and
antioxidant activity of the studied extracts has been noted. It is concluded that the acetone mixtures
were more effective than the methanol ones for polyphenol extraction. The number of extraction
steps in most of the cases was also a statistically significant factor affecting the yield of phenolic
extraction as well as antioxidant potential of basil leaf extracts.
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