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A Perspective on Missing Aspects in Ongoing Purification Research towards Melissa officinalis
Roberto Castro-Muñoz1,2, Grzegorz Boczkaj2, René Cabezas3
1Tecnologico de Monterrey, Campus Toluca, Avenida Eduardo Monroy Cárdenas 2000 San Antonio Buenavista, Toluca de Lerdo 50110, Mexico.
Foods (Basel, Switzerland)
|May 13, 2023
Summary
Melissa officinalis, a medicinal plant, offers antimicrobial, antispasmodic, antioxidant, and sleep-aiding properties due to its rich phytochemical profile. Ethanol is effective for extracting key compounds like rosmarinic acid.
Area of Science:
- Phytochemistry and Pharmacognosy
- Medicinal Plant Research
- Natural Product Chemistry
Background:
- Melissa officinalis L. (Lemon Balm) is a globally utilized medicinal herb with a long history in ethnomedicine.
- Its therapeutic effects are attributed to a diverse array of phytochemicals, including flavonoids, polyphenols, and terpenes.
- Established biological activities encompass antimicrobial, antispasmodic, antioxidant, and sedative properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide an updated review of the phytochemical profile of Melissa officinalis.
- To correlate specific phytochemicals with their observed biological and pharmacological effects.
- To explore advancements in extraction, fractionation, and purification techniques for M. officinalis phytochemicals.
Main Methods:
- Literature review focusing on phytochemical analysis, extraction, and purification of M. officinalis.
- Analysis of established and emerging extraction techniques, including solvent extraction and advanced methods.
- Evaluation of fractionation strategies and potential novel solvent systems.
Main Results:
- Ethanol demonstrates high efficacy for extracting valuable components, notably rosmarinic acid.
- Current research highlights progress in various extraction and fractionation strategies for M. officinalis.
- Identified research gaps include the application of cavitation-assisted and membrane-assisted extraction processes.
Conclusions:
- Further research should investigate sustainable extraction methods like cavitation-assisted processes and membrane technologies.
- Exploration of ionic liquids and deep eutectic solvents (DES), including NADES and hDES, is recommended for extraction and fractionation.
- Mechanochemistry-based approaches for in situ DES formation present a promising avenue for efficient phytochemical isolation.
