Co-Extraction of Policosanols and Phytosterols from Sorghum bicolor subsp. bicolor: A Mild Approach Unveiling New Bioactive Molecules

Phytochemicals have recently gained considerable attention for their therapeutic and nutraceutical potential. Particularly, policosanols and phytosterols have shown promising lipid-lowering effects through distinct mechanisms. Therefore, the combination of these two compound classes should offer synergistic benefits, enhancing cholesterol reduction. Despite various protocols having been developed for extracting these compounds from plant matrices, challenges remain regarding yields, high purity, non-toxicity and general biocompatibility of extracts. Tackling these aspects, this study provides an efficient co-extraction and purification method for policosanols and phytosterols from Sorghum bicolor subsp. bicolor, a plant rich in both such compounds. The newly developed protocol involved crude lipid extraction, saponification, column chromatographic purification and compound identification using gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC/MS). High yields for both policosanols and phytosterols were obtained with fractions pure and rich in a wide variety of compounds of both classes, some of which have never been described before for the species. Moreover, analyses revealed, for the first time, the presence of a variety of terpenes. The biocompatibility of the extracts has been evaluated as well, through MTT-based in vitro assays. The novel, promising approach would allow us to obtain compound-rich and safe extracts, suitable for nutraceutical applications.