Study on optimal conditions of lemongrass extraction

摘要

This research was conducted to find the optimal conditions to extract active ingredients from lemongrass for using to inhibit microorganisms. The solvents selected for testing are safe chemicals such as water, ethanol and methanol. We also studied the ratio of the lemongrass and the extract solvent and extract time which make the most extraction. Using water as an extract solvent, whether it is heating or not, the extract cannot inhibit the microbes. While using ethanol and methanol as extract solvent, no heat, the extract showed effectiveness in microorganisms inhibition at lemongrass extract concentration 50 mg/ml. Ethanol and methanol used in the extraction has been evaporated to prevent ethanol from being microorganisms deterrent. Therefore, it can be concluded that water cannot used as solvent for extraction of microbial inhibitors from lemongrass. Ethanol and Methanol are suitable solutions because of the low price, safety and the method is not complicated.