Comparison of different techniques for extraction of biologically active compounds from Achillea millefolium Proa

The effect of ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE), microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) and conventional extraction (CE) on the extraction of biologically active compounds from Achillea millefolium Proa has been investigated. The extracts were analyzed by spectrophotometric methods. The influence of the extraction time and the solvent on the yields of total extract (TEC), total phenolic compounds (TPhC), flavonoids (FC) and sesquiterpene lactones (SLC) has been studied. It was found that TEC and TPhC increased with increasing the solvent polarity in order CHCl3, MeOH and 80% MeOH. The extraction with MeOH gave maximum amount of flavonoids, while the SLC was found to be almost equal in all used solvents. UAE for 60 min and MAE for 60 s afforded higher or almost equal TEC, TPhC and FC than those obtained by CE for 24 h. The best extraction of sesquiterpene lactones was achieved with CHCl3 for 20 min of ultrasound treatment and 20 s of microwave irradiation.