A New Rapid Extraction Method of Solanesol from Tobacco Leaves

Tobacco (Nicotiana spp. L.) is a very good source of solanesol, a 45-carbon, all-trans-nonaprenol and is known to possessanti-bacterial, anti-inflammation, and anti-ulcer activities. Researchers are putting efforts to make tobacco leaves as a bio-factory for higher production of solanesol. Hence, huge numbers of tobacco leaves need to be accurately screened for solanesol content. However, reported methods are time consuming and some are methanol based. This study reported a new methanol-free, fast and durable method for extraction of solanesol from tobacco leaves. With this Isopropanol based method, 25 samples can be analysed per analysist per day and the stability of the extract is 20 days from the date of extraction. This method holds promise for large scale application in monitoring/screening of tobacco sample for solanesol content.