Effect of solvent polarity on extraction yield and antioxidant properties of phytochemicals from bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) seeds

The effect of solvent polarity on extraction yield and antioxidant properties of phytochemical compounds in bean seeds was studied. Seed flour of three varieties of bean was extracted in a series of organic solvents with increasing polarity (n-hexane, petroleum ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate, ethanol, acetone and water). Preliminary screening of phytochemicals showed the presence of tannins, flavonoids, cardiac glycosides, anthocyanins, terpenoids, carotenoids, ascorbic acid and reducing compounds in all extracts. One way analysis of variance (ANOVA) of results showed that extraction yield, phytochemical content and antioxidant properties were significantly influenced (p