Estimation of antioxidative potential of thyme (Thymus alpestris L.)

Abstract

Family Lamiaceae (labia) includes a large number of cosmopolitan species
including Thymus alpestris (Thyme) characterized by the presence of essential oils
and phenolic compounds. It represents a perennial semi-shrubby plant. The
antioxidant potential of thyme is due to the presence of polyphenolic acids and
flavonoids. The topic of this paper is the extraction of thyme (Thymus alpestris)
with 40% ethanol and 50% ethanol, using Soxhlet method (circulatory
extraction), after which, the content of phenolics and flavonoids was determined
in order to confirm the antioxidant potential of this plant species. The results
show that 40% ethanol extract has the highest content of phenolics and
flavonoids and the highest antioxidant potential, resultingly.