Comparison of conventional and ultrasonically assisted extractions of pharmaceutically active compounds from Salvia officinalis

Conventional as well as ultrasonically assisted extractions of biologically active compounds from Salvia officinalis using 65% ethanol have been studied. Cineole, Thujone and Borneol were used as standards for the GLC-MS evaluation of the extracts, The effect of temperature, stirring and mode of sonication (ultrasonic bath or horn system) have been studied. The results indicate that ultrasonically assisted extraction with mechanical stirring at room temperature in a period of 12h produces a substantial improvement over conventional methodology. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.