Comparative phytochemical study of various extracts from Limonium gmelinii

Limonium is a genus of plants that includes more than 300 different species worldwide, out of which in Kazakhstan, the most industrially significant and productive is Limonium (L.) gmelinii (Willd.). Major part of previous research was conducted on roots, from which four drugs were obtained, included at the National drugs register issued by the Ministry of Health Care. Underestimated aerial part might have some practical advantages, in particular large mass and less damage to the plant population along with novel biological activities. The object of the current research is plant material, harvested in Almaty region in 2018, dried, milled and assessed for its good quality in accordance with the requirements of the State Pharmacopeia. Preliminary phytochemical study revealed presence of the following groups of biologically active compounds: tannins (4.17 %), flavonoids (6.84 %), organic acids (4.07 %), and carbohydrates (3.89 %). In lipophilic fraction, tricosane was dominating (47.44 %). High content of phytol acetate (12.88 %) related to derivatives of acyclic diterpene alcohols was established. In addition, the 3,7,11,15-tetramethyl-2-hexadecan-1-ol, detected in the amount of 5.17%, was identified. After extraction with 50% ethanol in 1:5 ratio, with ultrasonic intensification of the extraction process at a frequency of 37 kHz and a temperature of 40°C, the resulting extract was dried under vacuum to completely remove the solvent. As a result, the degree of extraction was 53.55% of the weight of processed raw material, with increased amount of tannins (24.05 %), flavonoids (10.17 %), organic acids (5.84 %), and carbohydrates (4.13 %). Comparative analysis of biological activities is underway.