MULTISTAGE EXTRACTION TO IMPROVE AGI (ALPHA- GLUCOSIDASE INHIBTORS) ACTIVITY IN LEMONGRASS EXTRACT

Abstract

This research aimed to optimize the extraction process of Cymbopogon citratus (C. Citratus), commonly known as lemongrass, to enhance the yield and preserve the crucial antidiabetic activity, specifically alpha-glucosidase inhibition (AGI), for industrial-scale production feasibility. A multistage countercurrent extraction approach was employed, utilizing ethanol 50% in water as the solvent. Experiments compared single-stage extraction with two-stage (MS2) and three-stage (MS3) multistage extractions. The extraction yield, total phenolic content (TPC), AGI activity, and productivity were evaluated. The MS2 extraction exhibited significantly higher extraction yield (22.25%), TPC (12.32 mg GAE/g dry sample), and productivity (4.38 g solute/h) compared to the single-stage method (yield: 17.23%, TPC: 9.32 mg GAE/g dry sample, productivity: 0.88 g solute/h). The AGI activity increased from 28.94% in single stage to 30.30% in MS2. Meanwhile, the MS3 method showed comparable results to MS2, with no statistically significant difference. The optimized two-stage countercurrent extraction process demonstrated substantial improvements in extraction efficiency, yield, and preservation of antidiabetic properties, offering a promising approach for industrial-scale production of lemongrass extracts with enhanced economic viability.