Recovery optimization of plant waste derived antioxidants and their incorporation in cosmetic creams to enhance antioxidant potential: A cost-effective approach

Abstract

Abstract Plants waste is considered a valuable resource for extraction of valuable antioxidants. The prime objective of this study was to optimize extraction of phenolic compounds from four plant waste materials and quantification of their phenolic content to utilize their phytoextracts for loading into cosmetic creams. Dried residue of four plant materials: Neem leaves (NL), lime plant leaves (LL), radish leaves (RL) and carrot pulp (CP) was extracted using water and ethanol solvent under conditions i.e., boiling, soaking and shaking. Phenolic activity was accessed by Folin-ciocalteu and DPPH free radical scavenger method. Neem leaves extract showed the highest TPC of 112.3mg GAE/g and 92.82% free radical scavenging ability while the other samples also showed significant amounts. Aqueous solvent extracted higher TPC as compared to ethanolic solvent. A positive correlation was observed between TPC and antioxidant activity in aqueous extracts while ethanolic extracts showed no significant correlation. A significant raise in antioxidant activity of creams samples was reported upon loading them with phytoextracts. In one cream sample, the TPC content went from 1.89 to 54.05mg GAE/g after loading with lime plant extracts. In another sample, the free radical scavenging activity of cream raised from 19.34–95.35% by loading cream with 2% lime plant extract. Cosmetic creams containing plant extracts also indicated lesser microbial growth. Slight changes in other parameters e.g. pH, color and odor were also detected in formulated cosmetic products. Conclusively, plant wastes can be used as a valuable resource in cosmetic formulations for skin anti-aging.