Extraction of phytoecdysones with ethanol-modified supercritical CO2
Sustainable process-product development & green chemistry
SCF as Solvent Substitutes (T1-8P)
Keywords: 20-hydroxyecdysone, ethanol-modified CO2, Leuzea carthamoides
The study was focused on supercritical fluid extraction of biologically active phytoecdysteroids (polyhydroxysteroids) and particularly phytoecdysones, the substances of polar nature that mimic molting hormons of invertebrates. Among these compounds, the major component is usually 20-hydroxyecdysone (beta-ecdysterone, 2-beta,3-beta,14-alfa,20R,22R,25-hexahydroxy-5-beta-cholest-7-en-6-on).
Supercritical carbon dioxide was modified by ethanol in order to dissolve the polar compounds. The extraction pressure was the maximum operating pressure of the laboratory equipment, 28 MPa, and the extraction temperature was varied between 40 and 60 ºC. High-performance liquid chromatography and thin layer chromatography were applied to analyse the extracts. The highest yield of ecdysteroids was obtained at the maximum temperature.
The extracted material were roots and leaves of leuzea (Leuzea carthamoides, also called Rhaponticum carthamoides Willd.), leaves of spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.), and leaves of several other plants. The extraction yield of 20-hydroxyecdysone from leuzea roots was 0.32 mg/g dry weight and its yield from leuzea leaves was 0.21 mg/g.
Phytoecdysones are commonly extracted from plants with methanol or ethanol. The advantage of the extracts obtained with ethanol-modified CO2 is a higher concentration of efficient substances in the extract. Further increase in the concentration was achieved by stepwise separation of the extracts from the solvent in two separators at decreasing pressure.
See the full pdf manuscript of the abstract.
Presented Monday 17, 13:30 to 15:00, in session SCF as Solvent Substitutes (T1-8P).
