Extraction of Active Compounds from Fern Leaves (Pteridophyta folium) Using the Maceration Method with 95% Ethanol as Solvent

Abstract

Maceration is one of the extraction methods widely used in pharmacognosy to isolate active compounds from natural materials. This study aimed to understand the working principle of the maceration method, identify the factors affecting the extraction process, and evaluate the extraction results of fern leaf simplicia (Pteridophyta folium) using 95% ethanol as the solvent. The extraction was carried out by macerating 250 g of powdered fern leaves in 1000 mL of 95% ethanol, followed by periodic stirring and filtration to obtain the extract filtrate. The results showed that the maceration process produced 550 mL of filtrate with a concentrated dark green color and a residue weight of 443 g. The intense color of the extract indicated that secondary metabolites from the fern leaves were successfully extracted into the solvent. The difference in solvent volume before and after extraction was influenced by solvent absorption by the simplicia, solvent evaporation, and residual liquid retained in the residue. Based on the findings, the maceration method proved to be effective for extracting active compounds from fern leaves because it is simple to perform, does not require specialized equipment, and is suitable for thermolabile compounds. Factors such as particle size, solvent type, extraction time, and stirring frequency significantly influenced the success of the extraction process.