Effect of ultrasound technology combined with binary mixtures of ethanol and water on antibacterial and antiviral activities of Erodium glaucophyllum extracts

Erodium glaucophyllum is a common Mediterranean herb known for its health benefits. In this study, Erodium extracts obtained from different extraction methods (conventional vs ultrasound-assisted extraction) and extraction solvents (aqueous and hydroethanolic) were evaluated in microbiological media to determine their effects on bacteria (Salmonella enterica, Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria innocua, Bifidobacterium lactis and Lactobacillus casei) and antiviral activity (hepatitis A virus and murine norovirus). Both, the extraction method and solvent were found to be important contributing factors. Ultrasound-assisted extraction yielded the highest level of desirable Erodium-extracted phenolic compounds. Hydroethanolic extracts exhibited the highest level of bioactivity on the tested bacteria and also showed the highest antiviral activity against hepatitis A virus and murine norovirus. Erodium glaucophyllum extracts may have potential use as a food or dietary supplement.