Having scarce information about ultrasound assisted extraction (UAE) and microwave assisted extraction (MAE) of white horehound (Marrubium vulgare L.), the idea has emerged to determine the optimal process parameters for the maximization of polyphenols and to compare the efficiency of these green extraction technologies. The optimal UAE parameters are temperature of 73.6 °C, extraction time of 40 min and ultrasound power of 30.3 W/L, while the optimal MAE parameters are 63.8% ethanol, extraction time of 15 min and microwave power of 422 W. Extract obtained at optimal UAE parameters shows the highest antihyperglycemic activity (α-amylase inhibition: 50.63% and α-glucosidase inhibition: 48.67%), which can potentially be explained by the presence of chlorogenic acid and quercetin, which were not identified in the macerates. The most sensitive bacterial strain to optimal ultrasonic extract is Bacillus cereus, whereas the most sensitive fungal strain is Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
Keywords: Marrubium vulgare; antihyperglycaemic activity; antimicrobial activity; microwave extraction; ultrasound extraction.