Extraction of silymarin from milk thistle (Silybum marianum) seeds – a comparison of conventional and microwave-assisted extraction methods

Microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) has gained an increasingly important role for the extraction of phytoconstituents for many years. The extraction of silymarin from milk thistle seeds (Silybum marianum) using methanolic solvent under MAE was studied. Factors affecting extraction yields including extraction time and power used were examined. The extracted solutions were characterized for silymarin content by high-performance liquid chromatography; MAE outcomes were compared with those obtained from conventional extraction methods (i.e. heating under reflux and Soxhlet). The highest silymarin contents (254.2 mg/10 g and 263.1 mg/10 g seeds) were obtained after 30 min extraction time at 400 W power and after 15 min extraction time at 800 W power, respectively.