A green and effective method using oils to remove chlorophyll from Chromolaena odorata (L.) R.M. King & H. Rob

Abstract

Chromolaena odorata (L.) R.M. King & H. Rob has excellent wound healing effects. Therefore, it is useful for cosmeceutical purposes; however, the dark-greenish appearance of its extract limits its attractiveness for product development. This study aimed to develop an oil-based system for chlorophyll removal. Dried ethanolic extracts were dissolved in different aqueous EtOH solvents, and then the chlorophyll was partitioned to the oil phase. The efficiency of chlorophyll removal was monitored using a spectrophotometer. The recoveries of flavonoid and phenolic contents and the antioxidant activity were determined after the treatment. When the solutions of extract were prepared in 25% (v/v) - 75% (v/v) EtOH in water, the efficacy of chlorophyll removal by oil was higher than 85%. A higher concentration of EtOH resulted in a lower chlorophyll removal efficiency; however, the recoveries of phenolic and flavonoid contents and antioxidant activity improved. Palm oil showed efficiency higher than hexane for chlorophyll removal and high recoveries of the beneficial phytochemicals. This system can be applied in the fields of natural products-based health product development and in phytochemical studies.

Keywords

• chromolaena odorata
• chlorophyll removal
• oil
• antioxidant
• flavonoids