Chemometric Optimization of Functional Compound Extraction from <i>Artemisia annua</i> L. and Assessment of Its Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Properties

Artemisia annua L. is a medicinal plant valued for its bioactive compounds, especially artemisinin. This study focused on improving the extraction of these compounds using a CCRD design, combining ethanol/water (0–100%) and extraction times (60–300 s), with a mechanical homogenizer (ultradisperser). The obtained extracts were analyzed by using spectrophotometric methods (UV–vis and HPLC-DAD) to determine the presence of phenolic compounds, flavonoids, and sesquiterpenes. Antioxidant and antimicrobial capacities were evaluated. Ethanol concentrations between 50 and 60% increased the extraction of phenolics with antioxidant potential, and concentrations greater than 70% were more effective for sesquiterpenes. Extracts with a higher artemisinin content showed strong antimicrobial activity, especially against Gram-positive bacteria. Multivariate analyses validated the relationships between the extracted compounds and their biological effects. The overall extraction condition was 50% (ethanol/water, v/v) for 180 s, highlighting the biological potential of A. annua L. and the importance of optimizing extraction processes.