Ohmic heating-assisted extraction of phenolic-rich extracts from lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) leaves: Process optimization, antioxidant activity, and LC–MS characterization

Articles in Press

Document Type : Full Article

Authors

Department of Food Science and Technology, School of Agriculture, Shiraz University, Shiraz, I. R. Iran

Abstract

Lemongrass (LG, Cymbopogon citratus) leaves are recognized for their essential oil content, characteristic citrus-like aroma, and diverse biological activities, including anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties. In this study, ohmic heating-assisted extraction (OHE) was investigated as a novel approach for the recovery of bioactive compounds from LG leaves. The effects of extraction parameters, namely ethanol concentration (50% and 70%, v/v), extraction temperature (50 and 70 °C), and LG-to-solvent ratio (1:10, 1:15, and 1:20, w/v), were evaluated based on total phenolic content (TPC) and extraction yield (dry matter content). The performance of OHE was subsequently compared with conventional extraction techniques, including room-temperature maceration (ME) and magnetic stirrer-assisted extraction at elevated temperature (MSE). The results demonstrated that OHE under optimized conditions (50% ethanol, 50 °C, and a 1:10 LG-to-solvent ratio) produced the highest TPC (85.83 ± 2.28 mg GAE/g dry matter) and maximum antioxidant activity (44.95%). In contrast, the highest total flavonoid content (TFC) (19.06 ± 0.03 mg quercetin equivalents/g dry matter) was achieved using the MSE method. Liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC–MS) analysis of the optimized ohmic-assisted hydroethanolic extract, performed in negative ionization mode, revealed the presence of several bioactive phytochemicals, including chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, kaempferol derivatives, and apigenin derivatives. Overall, the findings indicated that OHE is an efficient and promising extraction technique for the recovery of phenolic compounds from lemongrass leaves. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study that optimized ohmic heating extraction parameters specifically for enhancing phenolic compound extraction from Cymbopogon citratus leaves.

Graphical Abstract

Ohmic heating-assisted extraction of phenolic-rich extracts from lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) leaves: Process optimization, antioxidant activity, and LC–MS characterization

Keywords

References

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Iran Agricultural Research

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Available Online from 04 October 2026

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