Author(s):
1. Tijana Ljubinac, Tehnoloski fakultet Zvornik, Republic of Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina
2. Nebojša Vasiljević, Faculty of Technology - University of East Sarajevo, Republic of Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina
3. Vladan Micic, Faculty of Technology - University of East Sarajevo, Republic of Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Abstract:
The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of key process parameters on the extraction of total phenolics, flavonoids, and anthocyanins from yarrow flower (Achillea millefolium L.), with the goal of optimizing the antioxidant potential of the obtained extracts and their potential application under industrial conditions. The investigated parameters included extraction time (5-90 minutes), solvent pH (1.5-12.5), plant material to solvent ratio (1:10-1:70), number of extraction cycles, and oscillation frequency during mixing (0-180 rpm). Extractions were performed using an ethanol solution, and quantitative analysis of total phenolics, flavonoids, and anthocyanins was carried out spectrophotometrically. The results showed that all examined parameters had a significant impact on the content of target bioactive compounds. The highest contents of total phenolics (108.47 mg GAE/g), flavonoids (77.26 mg KaH/g), and anthocyanins (0.1122 mg Cy3G/g) were achieved under conditions of prolonged extraction time (up to 90 minutes), acidic pH (1.5–4.0), lower plant material to solvent ratio (1:10–1:20), and oscillation frequency of 120-150 rpm. The introduction of mixing significantly increased the yield of bioactive compounds compared to static conditions, while multiple-step extraction showed limited efficiency.

Key words:
antioxidants, anthocyanins, extraction, flavonoids, (poly)phenolics, yarrow

Date of abstract submission:
17.07.2025.

Conference:
Contemporary Materials 2025 - Savremeni Materijali

Applied paper from author