Evaluation of Antioxidant Activity and Phenolic Content of Medicinal Plants Extracted by Ethanol, Methanol, and Water

The aim of this study was to compare both the efficiency of different extraction solvents and the phenolic content of various plant species. Analyses included pH, total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), antioxidant capacity (FRAP, CUPRAC), and DPPH IC₅₀. Methanol extract pH ranged from hibiscus (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) at 3.71 to 8.29 green tea leaf (Camellia sinensis L.). Quince leaf (Cydonia oblonga) water extract had the highest TPC (949.25 mg GAE/100 g) and flavonoid content (5166.21 mg QE/100 g). Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) showed the highest FRAP and CUPRAC values in both methanol and water extracts. Rosehip (Rosa canina L.) water extract had the strongest DPPH activity (IC₅₀: 8.61 µg/mL). These findings suggest that lemon balm (Melissa officinalis), quince leaf (Cydonia oblonga), and rosehip (Rosa canina) have strong potential as functional food ingredients, owing to their rich phenolic and flavonoid content and potent antioxidant activities, which could be beneficial in preventing oxidative stress-related health conditions.