OPTIMIZATION OF CHLOROPHYLL EXTRACTION FROM Gynura procumbens

Abstract

© 2016, Malaysian Society of Analytical Sciences. All rights reserved. Gynura procumbens (Sambung nyawa) is a bicolor (green and red) herbal plant, which is widely grown in Asia. This herbs are famously used for medicinal purposes as a safe alternative to chemical-based medicine. Recent studies proved that this plant has anti-herpes simplex virus, anti-flammatory and anti-hyperglycaemic properties. This work investigates the extraction of chlorophyll a and b in Gynura procumbens using Solid liquid extraction method. The solid to solvent ratio, temperature, solvent used and extraction time were varied to determine the optimum conditions for extraction. It was found that at 80 °C in 90 minutes with 2:5 solid to solvent ratio was the most favorable condition to extract chlorophyll a and b. Five valuable compounds were found from GC-MS analysis, which are 2-hexanal, phenol, oleic acid, copaene and phytol. This implies that Gynura procumbens promises a good source of many useful bioactive compounds.