WSEAS Transactions on Environment and Development
Print ISSN: 1790-5079, E-ISSN: 2224-3496
Volume 22, 2026
Polyphenol Content and Antioxidant Potential of Rhubarb (Rheum Rhabarbarum) STEM By-products Depending on Solvent Polarity and Extraction Technique
Authors: ,
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Abstract: The aim of the study is to evaluate the effect of solvent polarity and extraction technique on the recovery of antioxidants from rhubarb <i>(Rheum rhabarbarum)</i> by-products with single-step – maceration, and ultrasound assisted extraction, and two-step extraction methods - Soxhlet extraction with ethyl acetate, followed by repeated extraction of the residues. Extracts obtained using ethanol showed the highest extract yield, the highest total phenolic content $$(78.6±2.4 μg mL^{-1})$$, and exhibited high antiradical scavenging activity (DPPH method), the total flavonoid content $$(AlCl_{3} method)$$ was up to $$4.8±0.2 μg mL^{-1}$$. NMR analyses showed that the spectra of non-polar extracts showed the presence of various aliphatic compounds. Findings suggest a sustainable use of rhubarb residues, contributing to waste reduction while exploiting their bioactive potential in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and food products due to their strong antioxidant activity.
Pages: 988-1000
DOI: 10.37394/232015.2026.22.87