Work

Isolation of phenolics from sumatran benzoin resin (Styrax benzoin) and antioxidant testing to reveal the potential of bioactive-producing woody forest plants

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Bioactive compounds produced by woody forest plants need to be explored to reveal their potential as producers of chemical compounds with medicinal properties. Sumatran Frankincense (Styrax benzoin) is a resin-producing forest plant that needs to be promoted as a forest conservation plant. The resin produced by the Styrax benzoin tree needs to be isolated to determine its bioactive content. This study aims to isolate flavonoids from Sumatran benzoin resin and test its antioxidants to reveal the potential of bioactive-producing forest plants as economic resources and conservation plants. The research stages include providing resin raw materials from bark sap tapping, isolating, purifying, analyzing and testing flavonoid antioxidants. Sumatran frankincense trees produce bark sap, a super-quality resin, which is then used as a raw material for bioactive isolation. Isolation of flavonoids through gradual maceration of Sumatran frankincense resin using organic solvents produces crude flavonoids. Purification of flavonoids by solvent extraction produces total flavonoid isolates (yield 15.39%). The flavonoid antioxidant power is strong (IC50 40.56 ppm). Fractionation of flavonoid isolates produced phenolic compounds (yield 1.34%) in the form of yellowish-white crystalline powder with a distinctive and soft aroma, a density of 1.056 grams.mL-1, a boiling point of 285 oC, a melting point of 81 oC, soluble in alcohol, ether, chloroform, acetic acid and hot water. The quantity of flavonoids in Sumatran frankincense resin is large, has strong antioxidant power, and contains phenolic compounds needed as pharmaceutical and industrial raw materials. The Sumatran frankincense forest plants producing bioactives have the potential to be a source of economic and forest conservation.

Source: Trees Forests and People

DOI: 10.1016/j.tfp.2026.101539