Cold Plasma-Assisted Extraction of Bioactive Compounds from Pandanus Amaryllifolius Leaves

Abstract

Objective: This study was carried out to extract bioactive compounds from Pandanus amaryllifolius leaves after cold plasma pretreatment, followed by various quantitative and qualitative analyses. Methodology: The slurry of pandan leaves was treated with cold plasma at power voltage of 10, 20, and 30 kV for 10, 20, and 30 mins using petroleum ether as a solvent, followed by incubation for 24 hrs at 100 rpm and 30°C, keeping a 1:20 sample-to-solvent ratio. Treated leaves were further characterized using a scanning electronic microscope (SEM). Extracts antioxidant activity by results of the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and ferric reduction activity potential (FRAP) were determined. Total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content, and color parameters were also determined. Results and Conclusions: The morphological analysis by SEM showed the damaged cell structures on cold plasma-treated pandan leaves, which improved the bioactive compound extraction yield. Cold plasma pretreatments had only minor effects on the color, with slight variations observed for all time and voltage levels. The petroleum ether solvent was non-polar, so there was less DPPH, and no FRAP activity was observed. Cold plasma treatment at 30kV for 10 min had a significant impact on TPC. Therefore, cold plasma treatment can be used to enhance the extraction quality and yield of bioactive compounds from pandan leaves.