The potential of methanol and ethyl acetate extracts of corn silk (Zea mays L.) as sunscreen

This study aims to determine the bioactive compounds and SPF value of corn silk in methanol and ethyl acetate extracts. By knowing the SPF value, so their potential as sunscreen will represent. Corn silk powder was macerated with methanol and ethyl acetate solvents to obtain corn silk methanol extract (E1) and corn silk ethyl acetate extract (E2). The content of total phenolics in E1 and E2 were 25 072.54 mg · kg−1 and 7 439.34 mg · kg−1. The content of total flavonoids was 176.03 mg · kg−1 and 24.36 mg · kg−1. The content of beta carotene was 8.35 mg · kg−1 and 35.42 mg · kg−1, the determination of SPF value performed by in vitro using a spectrophotometer. The control was pure of quercetin (C1) and β-carotene (C2). SPF values of E1, E2, C1, and C2 were obtained respectively on 14.75; 20.32; 38.7 and 39.15. Based on the result, it shows that type of solvents of methanol and ethyl acetate affect on the content of bioactive compounds and SPF value of corn silk extract. The SPF value of ethyl acetate extract is higher than ethanol extract. It shows that ethyl acetate is a better solvent than methanol in corn silk extract as sunscreen.