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ArticleOpen Access http://dx.doi.org/10.26855/sa.2025.09.006

Analysis on the Preparation of Apigenin Oleate and Its Antioxidant Activity

Zhejun Ren1, Lixin Li1, Jun Zhou2,*

1Shanghai Pinghe Bilingual School, Shanghai 201206, China.

2Wuhan Jingkai Foreign Language School, Wuhan 430118, Hubei, China.

*Corresponding author: Jun Zhou

Published: January 20,2026

Abstract

Objective: To enhance the water solubility and stability of apigenin and promote its full exertion of antioxidant biological activity, this study prepared apigenin oleate (AP-EO) by esterification reaction using apigenin and oleic acid as raw materials, and prepared its nano-liposome carrier by the film dispersion-ultrasonic method. Methods: Apigenin (1 mmol) and oleic acid (3 mmol) were dissolved in anhydrous ethanol (50 mL), and concentrated sulfuric acid (1 mL) was added as a catalyst. AP-EO was prepared by esterification reaction through silica gel column chromatography, and analyzed by UV-Vis and in vitro antioxidant activity experiments. Results: The optimization of esterification reaction conditions showed that the highest yield (85.2%) was achieved when the molar ratio of oleic acid to apigenin was 3:1, the reaction temperature was 60 °C, and the reaction time was 6 h. The in vitro antioxidant experiments indicated that at the same concentration, the scavenging rate of AP was only 55.16% ± 0.63%. The scavenging ability of ABTS+• is an important indicator for evaluating the antioxidant capacity of flavonoids. Within a certain concentration range, the scavenging rate of ABTS+• of AP-EO was significantly higher than that of AP. Within the concentration range of 50-800 mg/L, the scavenging ability of DPPH• of AP-EO and AP increased with the increase of concentration, and the scavenging ability of AP-EO was stronger than that of AP. The scavenging ability of AP-EO and AP against •OH increased with the increase of concentration within the range of 50-800 mg/L, and the scavenging ability of AP-EO was stronger than that of AP within this concentration range. Conclusion: The study confirmed that oleic acid esterification can significantly enhance the solubility and antioxidant activity of apigenin, providing a theoretical basis for its application in functional foods and the medical field.

Keywords

Apigenin oleate; Esterification reaction; Antioxidant activity; Solubility

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How to cite this paper

Analysis on the Preparation of Apigenin Oleate and Its Antioxidant Activity

How to cite this paper: Zhejun Ren, Lixin Li, Jun Zhou. (2025) Analysis on the Preparation of Apigenin Oleate and Its Antioxidant ActivityScientific Access1(2), 100-106.

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.26855/sa.2025.09.006