The effect of different solvents on extraction yield of Borage (Echium amoenum fisch) flowers

Borage(Echium amoenum Fisch) is a biennial or perennial herb indigenous to the narrow zone of northern part of Iran. Its dry violet–blue flowers has long been used as tonic, tranquillizer, diaphoretic, cough suppressant and a remedy for sore throat and pneumonia in traditional medicine of Iran[1]. However, very little research done with regards to ascertain the extraction yield based on solvent polarity. Thus, the influence of solvents with different polarities on extraction yield was investigated. Methanol, Ethanol, Acetone and chloroform were selected as the extraction solvents with soxhlet apparatus. The highest extraction yield was obtained from methanol, gave 52.5 wt% of extraction yield compared to ethanol (41.2%), chloroform ( 28.4% ) and acetone(16.1%).