Comparative study on the effect of extraction solvent on total phenol, flavonoid content, antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of red onion (Allium cepa)

Conclusion
To explore the effect of various extracting solvents with 
different polarity, we have compared the yield, TPC, TFC, 
antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of ethyl acetate, 
n-butanol, methanol, ethanol and water extract of red onion 
skin. Methanolic extract showed the highest yield com-
pared to other extracts. The highest amount of DPPH radi-
cal scavenging, reducing power and free radical scavenging 
was recorded for ethyl acetate extract followed by n-butanol. 
All tested microorganism were sensitive to studied extracts. 
However, higher inhibitory activity of the extracts was 
observed against Gram-positive bacterium S. aureus than 
the Gram-negative bacteria E. coli and S. Typhi. A. niger 
was also more sensitive than C. albicans at different con-
centrations of extracts. The results suggest the suitability 
of solvents with intermediate polarity for the extraction of 
antioxidant and antimicrobial compounds from red onion 
skin. In conclusion, red onion skin extracts represent an easy 
accessible and valuable bioactive source of natural antioxi-
dants and antimicrobial.
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