Volume: 5, 2026
5th International PhD Students’ Conference at the University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Poland:
ENVIRONMENT – PLANT – ANIMAL – PRODUCT
Abstract number: P005
DOI: https://doi.org/10.24326/ICDSUPL5.P005
Published online: 22 April 2026
Influence of extraction solvent on total phenolic content and in vitro antioxidant activity of Scutellaria baicalensis extracts
Maria Bętkowska, Natalia Sałęga, Łukasz Sęczyk*
Department of Industrial and Medicinal Plants, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, 15 Akademicka Str., 20-950 Lublin, Poland
* Corresponding author: lukasz.seczyk@up.edu.pl
Scutellaria baicalensis is a perennial herbaceous species recognized for its long-standing use in East Asian therapeutic practices. The root, commonly processed in its dried form (Radix Scutellariae), constitutes the primary source of biologically active substances. It contains a diverse array of bioactive compounds, among which polyphenols – especially flavonoids are predominant. These constituents are associated with numerous pharmacological properties, including antioxidant activity, modulation of inflammatory pathways, and inhibitory effects on viral infections and tumor development. Consequently, the plant has become the subject of extensive research focused on its therapeutic potential. The efficiency of isolating bioactive compounds is strongly dependent on the physicochemical characteristics of the extraction medium, particularly its polarity, which governs solubility. Differences in solvent systems may therefore lead to distinct phytochemical compositions and influence the antioxidant capacity of the extracts. Accordingly, this study was designed to assess the effect of three extraction solvents – water, 50% (v/v) ethanol, and 96.6% (v/v) ethanol – on total phenolic content and in vitro antioxidant activity. Finely ground roots of Scutellaria baicalensis were extracted using the tested solvents via an ultrasound-assisted technique at 60 °C for 2 h, with a plant material-to-solvent ratio of 1:150 (w/v). Total phenolic content and antioxidant activity were determined using spectrophotometric methods. Total polyphenols were quantified using the Folin–Ciocalteu reagent, while antioxidant activity was evaluated using ABTS and DPPH radical scavenging assays, as well as ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP). The results demonstrate that the extraction solvent significantly influences total phenolic content (TPC) and antioxidant activity. The highest values of TPC, ABTS, DPPH, and FRAP were consistently observed for extracts obtained with 50% ethanol, indicating superior extraction efficiency of bioactive compounds in a hydroalcoholic system. In contrast, extracts prepared with 96.6% ethanol exhibited markedly lower values across all assays, suggesting limited solubility of phenolic compounds in absolute ethanol. Water extracts showed intermediate activity, generally lower than 50% ethanol but substantially higher than pure ethanol, confirming the importance of solvent polarity in the extraction process. Our findings indicate that 50% ethanol extracts of Scutellaria baicalensis roots, characterized by the highest phenolic content and antioxidant activity, may be particularly suitable for application in nutraceuticals and functional products with potential health-promoting properties.
Keywords: antioxidants, baikal skullcap, extraction, medicinal herb, polyphenols
How to cite
Bętkowska M., Sałęga N., Sęczyk Ł., 2026. Influence of extraction solvent on total phenolic content and in vitro antioxidant activity of Scutellaria baicalensis extracts. In: 5th International PhD Students’ Conference at the University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Poland: Environment – Plant – Animal – Product. https://doi.org/10.24326/ICDSUPL5.P005