EFFECT OF SOLVENT POLARITY ON TOTAL FLAVONOID CONTENT OF OCIMUM BASILICUM LEAF EXTRACTS MEASURED AT 415 NM USING UV-VIS SPECTROPHOTOMETRY

Abstrak

Flavonoids are secondary metabolite compounds known for their biological activities, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties. Basil leaves Ocimum basilicum are recognized as a potential natural source of flavonoids and antioxidants. This study aimed to analyze the total flavonoid content of basil leaf extracts using different solvents, namely 70% ethanol, ethyl acetate, and n-hexane, and to compare the effectiveness of each solvent based on polarity differences. Basil leaf simplicia were dried, powdered, and extracted by maceration for 3 × 24 hours using each solvent. The obtained extracts were subjected to phytochemical screening, Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC) analysis, and total flavonoid content determination using the AlCl₃ colorimetric method with UV-Vis spectrophotometry at 415 nm. Absorbance data were calculated using the linear regression equation of the quercetin standard curve (y = 0.0093x + 0.015; R² = 0.998). The results showed that the highest extract yield was obtained using 70% ethanol (18.45 ± 0.32%), followed by ethyl acetate (6.72 ± 0.21%) and n-hexane (3.15 ± 0.18%). Total flavonoid content analysis demonstrated that the 70% ethanol extract contained the highest flavonoid level at 56.82 ± 1.14 mg QE/g, followed by ethyl acetate at 34.27 ± 0.87 mg QE/g and n-hexane at 12.43 ± 0.52 mg QE/g. These findings indicate that polar solvents are more effective in extracting flavonoid compounds compared to semi-polar and non-polar solvents.