Extraction Process
Aerial components of sixteen distinct plant species were gathered from
diverse locations within the Greek periphery. The plant species
encompassed Achillea taygetea Boiss. & Heldr., Cistus
creticus L., Cistus monspeliensis L., Lavandula stoechasL., Mentha aquatica L., Mentha longifolia L.,Origanum vulgare L., Phlomis cretica C. Presl,Rosmarinus officinalis L., Salvia sclarea L.,Satureja parnassica Heldr. & Sart. ex Boiss., Satureja
thymbra L., Sideritis euboea Heldr., Sideritis syriacaL., Stachys spinosa L., and Thymus longicaulis C. Presl.
The collected plant specimens were finely ground (using SCIS,
Allenwest-Eac ltd) into homogeneous powders and subjected to
ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE). An Elma S 100H (Elmasonic)
instrument was employed, utilizing 100% ethyl acetate as the extraction
solvent. The extraction process took place for 15 minutes at room
temperature, with a plant-to-solvent ratio of 1/10 (w/v). To ensure
comprehensive extraction, the procedure was repeated twice for each
sample. The ethyl acetate solvent was subsequently evaporated to dryness
under reduced pressure, employing a Buchi Rotavapor R-200 rotary
evaporator, while maintaining a temperature of 40 °C.