Optimization of the process of flavonoid extraction from chamomile (Matricaria recutita L.)

Matricaria recutita L. has several uses in medicine, food and cosmetics. Its flower has high contents of flavonoids, mainly apigenine, whose pharmacological action and quality of its water-alcohol extract vary depending on its concentration. To optimize the process of navonoid extraction and obtain higher yield, the Taguchi method was used. The factors analyzed were time-temperature (1-4 h at 70+/-0.5 degrees C), proportion of methanol: water (50:50 to 80:20) as solvent, and flower particle size (0.42 and 2.00 mm). To quantify flavonoids the aluminum chloride colorimetric method was used. The optimum combination of levels that maximizes (p <= 0.05) flavonoid yield is the process conducted with large flower particles (> 2.00 mm) at 70 +/- 0.5 degrees C for I h in a solvent with 80:20 methanol:water.