The content of secondary metabolites and total flavonoid levels of Miswak Wood (Salvadora persica) extract by kinetic maceration

Abstrak

Miswak wood is empirically used to clean teeth, as it is known to have antibacterial activity mediated by its secondary metabolite . As a potential plant, miswak wood contains various secondary metabolite compounds, such as flavonoid terpenoid, steroid, alkaloid, saponin, and tannin. The levels and types of active compounds extracted from the extraction process depend on the nature of the solvent used.  This study compares the total flavonoid levels of miswak wood with methanol, n-butanol, and ethyl acetate solvents. This study used an experimental design from an in vitro laboratory. This study uses samples of miswak wood extract extracted using the kinetic maceration method using methanol, n-butanol, and ethyl acetate solvents. Then, the extraction results will be qualitatively analyzed through phytochemical screening to see the presence or absence of flavonoid compounds, saponins, tannins, phenolics, alkaloids, terpenoids, and steroids, and quantitative phytochemical screening will be carried out to determine the level of flavonoid compounds in miswak wood extract using UV-vis spectrometry. Data analysis used non-parametric Kruskal-Wallis, followed by a post-hoc comparison test. Extract of miswak wood by kinetic maceration method showed positive for secondary metabolite compounds of flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenoids, phenolics, tannins in methanol, n-butanol, and ethyl acetate solvents, while saponins were only negative in ethyl acetate solvent. Determination of flavonoid compound levels showed ethyl acetate contained as much as 99.15 ± 8.14 mgEQ/g, then n-butanol as much as 62.08 ± 6.10 mgEQ/g, and methanol as much as 13.23 ± 7.47mgEQ/g significance test (P<0.05). Post-hoc pairwise Wilcoxon test showed significant results (p<0.05). This shows the type of solvent that influences flavonoid levels. The types of compounds that can be withdrawn by methanol and n-butanol solvents are more than the ethyl acetate solvent. The highest flavonoid levels were found in ethyl acetate solvent, and the lowest in methanol solvent.