Investigation of the effects of different extraction methods on some biological activities of Dactylorhiza romana Subsp. georgica tubers

Orchid (Dactylorhiza romana subsp. georgica: Drg) spreads in Anatolia. This plant is consumed by the local people for various purposes. Even if some biological activities of this orchid have been previous partially studies, its biological features have not been bring out in detail in the based on scientific data. It was purposed to enlighten the phenolic content, enzyme inhibition, antioxidant, antimicrobial and DNA protective activities of the extracts obtained using various extraction processes. In this research to determine antioxidant properties of plant tubers, FRAP, DPPH, ABTS assays were used, and the phosphomolybdate assay was preferred to detect the total antioxidant capacity. Enzyme inhibition activity was determined spectrophotometrically. Also, the phenolic ingredient of the orchid tubers was analyzed via HPLC. The antimicrobial activity of the Drg extracts were revealed by microdilution method. The DNA protective properties of the Drg extracts were demonstrated with agarose gel electrophoresis. The findings showed that each extract displayed different biological activities. Accordingly, it was observed that the most effective bioactivity was in the extracts of dry tubers prepared in a shaker for 24 hours and a shaker for 24 hours, followed by an ultrasonic assist for 60 minutes. In compliance with HPLC findings, p-hydroxybenzoic acid was the major phenolic component in the Drg extracts. Finally, it was determined that the biological activities of Drg changed according to varried extraction methods. So, considering biological properties exhibited by Drg, it can be declare that it has a high potential for use some sectors such as pharmaceutical and food.