The extraction of phytochemicals from plants involves various techniques, including solvent extraction, steam distillation, and supercritical fluid extraction. These methods aim to isolate bioactive compounds, such as alkaloids, flavonoids, and terpenoids, which have potential therapeutic applications. The choice of extraction method depends on the type of plant material and the target phytochemical.
Solvent extraction is one of the most commonly used methods for isolating phytochemicals. It involves using solvents like ethanol, methanol, or hexane to dissolve bioactive compounds from plant material. This process is followed by solvent evaporation to obtain concentrated phytochemical extracts, widely used in pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals.
Chromatography, including HPLC (High-Performance Liquid Chromatography) and TLC (Thin-Layer Chromatography), is a vital tool for the separation and isolation of phytochemicals. These techniques allow for the precise purification of individual compounds from complex plant extracts, ensuring high purity for use in drug development and research.