Optimization of Ethanol Concentration and Wetting Time for Industrial-Scale Production of Ipomoea batatas L. Leaf Extract

Extraction is one of the most important phases in the food, pharmaceutical, and nutraceutical industries, as it enables the isolation of valuable compounds from raw materials. Ipomoea batatas L. leaf extract has anti-diabetic qualities due to anthocyanidins, flavonols, flavanones, and phenolic acids. The goal of this study is to maximize extraction on a production scale with total flavonoids and fingerprint profiles that closely resemble standardized extracts. In this study, extraction was performed using the percolator method with optimization parameters, including ethanol concentration (40, 50, 60, and 70%) and wetting time (0.5, 3, and 24 h). Quality control in extraction was assessed through the total flavonoids and fingerprint analysis. TLC was used to determine the fingerprints of Ipomoea batatas L. leaf extract, followed by multivariate analysis. Using 60% ethanol and 3 h of wetting time produced total flavonoids of 19.86 ± 0.2 mg quercetin/g and a fingerprint close to the control with a similarity of 94.87%. Ethanol concentration and wetting time are critical parameters in Ipomoea batatas L. extraction. Quality control through total flavonoid determination and fingerprint analysis during the extraction process provides a standardized approach to maintain the quality, safety, and efficacy of Ipomoea batatas L. natural products.