Bioactive compounds from Taraxacum officinale extracts obtained by optimized ultrasound-assisted extraction

In this study, the extraction of plant species Taraxacum officinale (F. H. Wigg) was optimized providing the maximum extraction of phenolic compounds using Response Surface Methodology (RSM). The optimum extraction parameters were as follows: extraction temperature of 60°C, extraction time of 30 min and 1:32.7 g/mL solid-liquid ratio for ethanol extract, and 60°C, 30 min, 1:14.2 g/mL ratio for acetone extract. The optimized extracts exhibited different biological activities. Ethanol extract showed better DPPH radicals scavenging activity and reducing power compared to acetone extract. The extracts had low antibacterial activity. In addition, the extracts had no effect on the healthy MRC-5 cell line, while acetone extract reduced the viability of HCT-116 carcinoma cells. This paper provides a basis for further research on the optimization of dandelion extraction under different conditions and testing the bioactivity of this medicinal plant.