Screening the Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Properties of the Extracts from Plantain (Plantago Major L.) Leaves.

Antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of the extracts obtained by classical (maceration) and ultrasonic (40 kHz) extraction from dry Plantago major leaves were compared. The antioxidant activities of extracts obtained by ultrasonic and classical extraction were 0.87±0.02 and 0.85±0.02 µg/µg DPPH, respectively. Ultrasound positively affected the extractive substance yield and the kinetics of extraction, but the extract obtained by classical extraction contained higher total contents of phenolic compounds and flavonoids than that obtained by ultrasonic extraction. Extracts of P. major showed better antimicrobial activity against the yeasts than against the bacteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]