Extraction of bioactive compounds from thyme herb (Thymus serpyllum L.): potential of conventional and alternative approaches

Authors

  • Tatsiana M. Halavach Belarusian State University, 4 Niezaliezhnasci Avenue, Minsk 220030, Belarus
  • Vladimir P. Kurchenko Belarusian State University, 4 Niezaliezhnasci Avenue, Minsk 220030, Belarus
  • Natallia V. Sushynskaya Belarusian State University, 4 Niezaliezhnasci Avenue, Minsk 220030, Belarus
  • Aleksei D. Lodygin North-Caucasus Federal University, 1 Pushkina Street, Stavropol 355017, Russia
  • Ivan A. Evdokimov North-Caucasus Federal University, 1 Pushkina Street, Stavropol 355017, Russia
  • Liana V. Garibian North-Caucasus Federal University, 1 Pushkina Street, Stavropol 355017, Russia
  • Anton A. Sisko Belarusian State University, 4 Niezaliezhnasci Avenue, Minsk 220030, Belarus

Keywords:

Thymus serpyllum L., extraction, organic solvent, lactoprotein, cyclodextrin, phenolic compound, antioxidant activity

Abstract

A comparative study was conducted to evaluate the efficiency of classical organic solvents (ethanol, methanol, chloroform) and innovative extraction systems based on β-cyclodextrin, as well as native, thermally denatured, and hydrolysed whey proteins in isolating bioactive compounds from thyme herb (Thymus serpyllum L.). The composition of the extracts was analysed using gas chromatography with mass spectrometry, and antioxidant activity was assessed based on their ability to reduce the ABTS radical and expressed as Trolox equivalents. The application of a 2.0 % aqueous solution of hydrolysed whey proteins was found to provide the highest yield of dry matter (35.5 mg/mL) and phenolic compounds (0.52 mg/mL). When analysing extract samples obtained with 2.0 % solutions of thermally denatured and hydrolysed lactoproteins, maximum antioxidant activity was observed (1.86 and 1.56 mmol Trolox equiv./mL, respectively). The extraction process facilitated by β-cyclodextrin is distinguished by the selective binding of the oligosaccharide to specific metabolites, including maltol and certain lactonised carbohydrate derivatives. Organic solvents (e. g. ethanol and methanol) maximised the extraction of monoterpenic phenols (e. g. thymol and carvacrol), making them valuable for the production of antimicrobial preparations. The research results confirm the functional specialisation of the studied extraction agents. Alternative systems based on lactoproteins and β-cyclodextrin can be recommended as cost-effective, environmentally safe substitute for organic solvents in the development of multicomponent phytopreparations with comprehensive anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity.

Author Biographies

  • Tatsiana M. Halavach, Belarusian State University, 4 Niezaliezhnasci Avenue, Minsk 220030, Belarus

    PhD ( biology), docent; leading researcher at the laboratory of applied biology, department of general ecology and methods of biology teaching, faculty of biology

  • Vladimir P. Kurchenko, Belarusian State University, 4 Niezaliezhnasci Avenue, Minsk 220030, Belarus

    PhD (biology), docent; head of the laboratory of applied biology, department of general ecology and methods of biology teaching, faculty of biology

  • Natallia V. Sushynskaya, Belarusian State University, 4 Niezaliezhnasci Avenue, Minsk 220030, Belarus

    senior researcher at the laboratory of applied biology, department of general ecology and methods 
    of biology teaching, faculty of biology

  • Aleksei D. Lodygin, North-Caucasus Federal University, 1 Pushkina Street, Stavropol 355017, Russia

    doctor of science (engineering), docent; head of the department of applied biotechnology, faculty of food engineering and biotechnology named after Academician A. G. Khramtsov

  • Ivan A. Evdokimov, North-Caucasus Federal University, 1 Pushkina Street, Stavropol 355017, Russia

    doctor of science (engineering), full professor; head of the basic department of milk and dairy products technology, faculty of food engineering and biotechnology named after academician A. G. Khramtsov

  • Liana V. Garibian, North-Caucasus Federal University, 1 Pushkina Street, Stavropol 355017, Russia

    postgraduate student at the department of applied biotechnology, faculty of food engineering and biotechnology named after academician A. G. Khramtsov

  • Anton A. Sisko, Belarusian State University, 4 Niezaliezhnasci Avenue, Minsk 220030, Belarus

    student at the department of general ecology and methods of biology teaching, faculty of biology

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2026-09-15

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No. 1 (2026): Experimental Biology and Biotechnology

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How to Cite

Halavach, T., Kurchenko, V., Sushynskaya, N., Lodygin, A., Evdokimov, I., Garibian, L., & Sisko, A. (2026). Extraction of bioactive compounds from thyme herb (Thymus serpyllum L.): potential of conventional and alternative approaches. Experimental Biology and Biotechnology, 1, 40-53. https://doi.org/10.33581/2957-5060-2026-1-%p