High-performance green extraction of polyphenolic antioxidants from salvia fruticosa using cyclodextrins: Optimization, kinetics, and composition

Cretan sage is a medicinal powerhouse, yet its polyphenols have been hiding from green extraction—until now. Cyclodextrins just turned water into a smarter solvent.

Cretan sage, or Salvia fruticosa, has long been celebrated for its health benefits, but scientists struggled to pull out its polyphenolic antioxidants sustainably. This study tested three cyclodextrins—m-β-CD, HP-β-CD, and β-CD—as green boosters in water-based extraction. Using a Box–Behnken design, they optimized concentration, pH, and liquid-to-solid ratio, while kinetics revealed temperature's role.

Results were striking: m-β-CD proved the most effective, yielding 98.39 mg of gallic acid equivalents per gram of dry mass. At 80°C, extraction efficiency soared, boosting both ferric-reducing power and antiradical activity. Even better, m-β-CD demanded the least energy.

Mass spectrometry uncovered a twist: m-β-CD favored luteolin 7-O-glucuronide, while β-CD showed higher affinity for rosmarinic acid. This selective behavior opens doors to tailored polyphenol recovery, making green extraction not just viable, but precise.

Key Points

• m
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• β