Impact of Different Extraction Methods on the In Vitro Bioactivity Profiles of Terfezia Claveryi

Terfezia claveryi is an edible desert truffle traditionally consumed in arid regions. In recent years, it has attracted increasing scientific interest due to its potential antioxidant, antimicrobial, and therapeutic properties, suggesting possible applications in food and health-related fields. However, despite growing evidence of its biological potential, the influence of different extraction strategies on the recovery of bioactive compounds and the resulting in vitro bioactivity profile of Terfezia claveryi has not yet been clarified in the literature. In this study, the in vitro bioactivity of Terfezia claveryi extracts obtained using different extraction methods and solvents with varying polarity was evaluated. Extraction yield was determined, and the obtained extracts were assessed for antioxidant, antimicrobial, antibiofilm, and cytotoxic activities using established testing systems. Antioxidant capacity was measured using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS), and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) tests, while cytotoxic effects were investigated in SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells. Extraction yield varied depending on both method and solvent polarity, with the highest yield obtained from the aqueous extract prepared by the ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) method (18.40%). It was determined that antioxidant activity showed significant differences depending on the extraction method, and aqueous extracts obtained by the maceration-assisted extraction (MAE) method exhibited a profile rich in phenolic compounds along with the strongest radical scavenging capacity. LC-MS/MS analysis of this extract revealed the presence of nine phenolic compounds; quinic acid and chlorogenic acid were identified as the dominant components. In contrast, Soxhlet-derived extracts induced greater cytotoxic effects in SH-SY5Y cells. Antimicrobial and antibiofilm responses displayed relatively limited variation among extraction methods, indicating a weaker dependence on extraction strategy for these activities. Overall, these findings demonstrate that the biophysical extraction method and solvent selection are critical determinants of the in vitro bioactivity profile of Terfezia claveryi extracts, with pronounced effects observed for antioxidant and cytotoxic activities.