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Sustainable Post-Harvest Processing of Aonla Fruit and Cinnamon Bark: A Comparative Study on Solvent Extraction and LC-MS Profiling

Laxmi PS, Saji Gomez, Anu Mary Markose , Chandrashekhar VM, Suman KT, Berin Pathrose, Prasad Patil, Kothakota Aravind Kumar

2025/06/25

DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.15735812

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ABSTRACT

The extraction of bioactive compounds from plant materials plays a critical role in maximizing their therapeutic efficacy and commercial application. In this study, we investigated the extraction efficiencies of Aonla fruit and cinnamon bark using two solvent systems: distilled water and 80% ethanol, under maceration conditions. The results demonstrated that hydro-ethanol significantly enhanced extraction yields, achieving 25.10 ± 0.90% for Aonla fruit and 29.70 ± 0.30% for cinnamon bark. HR-LCMS (High Resolution-Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometry) analysis revealed the presence of functional phytochemicals in extracts, including gallic acid, quercetin, catechin, and ascorbic acid; cinnamaldehyde, cinnamic acid, and ellagic acid. Herein, we explore the underlying physicochemical factors driving this enhanced performance of hydro-ethanol, including optimal solvent polarity, improved cell-wall penetration, superior compound solubility, and accelerated extraction kinetics. By unlocking the potential of post-harvest resources for functional food and nutraceutical applications.

AUTHOR AFFILIATIONS

1 Department of Postharvest Management, College of Agriculture, Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikkara, Thrissur, Kerala, India- 680656
2 Department of Pharmacology, Hanagal Shri Kumareshwar, College of Pharmacy, Bagalkot, Karnataka, India- 587101
3 Department of Community Science, College of Agriculture, Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikkara, Thrissur, Kerala, India- 680656
4 Department of Entomology, College of Agriculture, Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikkara, Thrissur, Kerala, India- 680656

CITATION

Laxmi PS, Gomez S, Markose AM, Chandrashekhar VM, Suman KT, Pathrose B, Patil P and Kumar AK (2025) Sustainable Post-Harvest Processing of Aonla Fruit and Cinnamon Bark: A Comparative Study on Solvent Extraction and LC-MS Profiling. Environmental Science Archives 4(1): 351-357.

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