Optimization of the extraction of bioactive molecules from Lycium barbarum fruits and evaluation of the antioxidant activity: a combined study

Novel food, super food, wolfberry, the Himalayan longevity fruit. Several different and, even more, colourful names define the fruits of Lycium barbarum L., one of the most popular food supplements and anti-aging remedies of the recent years. Goji derivatives find application at the interface between food and medicine thanks to the claimed antioxidant and immunomodulatory properties. Aiming at identifying the most effective extraction protocol for processing different goji berries samples (fresh and dried, commercial and from an Italian cultivar), combinations of extractive and analytical techniques were attempted. The concentration of bioactive compounds and of total phenols were measured and the antioxidant activity of the obtained extracts was studied. The results highlight the most suitable combination of source and process to obtain an extract that can be suitable for nutraceutical applications.