A green ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) method using glycerol/water mixtures\nfor extraction of licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) bioactive constituents was developed in this study.\nThe response surface method, according to the Box-Behnken design, was employed to optimize the\nextraction parameters: glycerol concentration (X1), temperature (X2), and the amount of herbal drug\nused in the production (X3). The responses were content of total phenols (TP), TP extraction efficiency\n(TPy) and the content of licorice characteristic constituents, glabridin (Gla) and isoliquiritigenin (Iso).\nResponse surface analysis predicted the optimal extraction conditions for maximized amounts of\nTP, Tpy, Gla, and Iso. The extracts were prepared using the calculated conditions. The analysis of\nthe selected constituents confirmed the validity of the model. Furthermore, biological activity of the\nextracts was tested. The results demonstrate that UAE using glycerol is a fast and efficient method\nfor preparation of extracts with excellent radical scavenging, Fe2+ chelating and antioxidant activity.\nFurthermore, the observed notable tyrosinase and elastase inhibitory activity of the extracts, as well\nas their anti-inflammatory activity, indicate the anti-aging properties of the investigated extracts.\nThe fact that the extracts were prepared using the safe, cosmetically active solvent, glycerol, makes\nthem suitable for direct use in specialized cosmeceutical formulations.
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