Eco-Friendly Aqueous Extraction of Momordica charantia Fruits using Gelucire® 44/14: Phytochemical Fingerprinting and Antioxidant Activity
Year: 2026
Type: preprint
Abstract: Conventional extraction methods for isolating phytoactives from Momordica charantia Linn. fruit rely on use of hazardous organic solvents. In this study, phytoactives of Momordica were extracted using an eco-friendly extraction method utilizing Gelucire® 44/14. Additionally, prepared extract was standardized as per CDSCO, India guidelines using LC-MS/MS and HPTLC to claim it as phytopharmaceutical drug. Various ratios of powder with gelucire® 44/14 and gelucire® 50/13 were prepared. Optimization of ratio based on highest percent of Momordicinin recovery. HPTLC method was developed to simultaneously quantify five phytoconstituents viz. β-sitosterol, gallic acid, quercetin, kaempferol, and rutin in the optimized extract (G44MC 1:2 ratio). Extract's antioxidant potential estimated using DPPH, Folin–Ciocalteu, and aluminum chloride colorimetric assays for total phenolic and flavonoid content. Results showed higher extraction of Momordicinin by gelucire® 44/14 (0.56 ± 0.02% w/w) compared to gelucire® 50/13 (0.42 ± 0.07% w/w) and ethanolic extract (0.40 ± 0.06% w/w). G44MC with ratio of 1:2 (fruit powder:gelucire) considered optimized and showed presence of β-sitosterol, gallic acid, quercetin, kaempferol, and rutin analysed using HPTLC method developed for simultaneous estimation. The prepared extract showed concentration dependent antioxidant potential revealed by DPPH assay. Present work reports eco-friendly, efficient, and solvent-free method for extracting phytoactives of momordica.
Source: Research Square
Authors: Tejashri Deshmukh, Sharvil Patil
Institution: Bharati Vidyapeeth (Deemed to be University)
Language: English
Topic: Medicinal Plant Research
Subfield: Plant Science
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7225805194