Extraction of Puerarin using Ionic Liquid Based Aqueous Two-Phase Systems

Abstract

Various ionic liquid-based aqueous two-phase systems (IL-ATPS) were evaluated to extract puerarin. The results indicated that the nature of ILs, the salting-out ability of salt, and the acidity and basicity of the salt-rich solution had important influence on the extraction efficiency. Various factors were optimized systematically, that is, the amount of IL, salt, puerarin, and short-chain alcohol. Under the optimal experimental conditions (the amount of K₂HPO₄ 0.30–0.42 g/mL, [Bmim]Br 0.30–0.36 g/mL and 1.0 mL puerarin stock solution), the extraction efficiency of puerarin was over 99% by a single-step extraction, which indicated that the evaluated IL-ATPS was a prospective extraction medium. Finally, the IL-ATPS was successfully used to extract puerarin from Radix Puerariae Lobatae extracts.

Keywords:

• aqueous two-phase systems
• extraction
• ionic liquids
• puerarin

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Financial support from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 20806037, 20876131 and 20976166), Natural Science Foundation of Jiangxi, China (No. 2007GQH1752), Natural Science Foundation of Jiangxi Province Department of Education (No. GJJ09420), Jiangxi Province Young Scientists (Jinggang Star) Cultivation Plan (20112BCB23002), Open Foundation of Key Laboratory of Poyang Lake Ecology and Bio-Resource Utilization of Ministry of Education (No. Z04998) and Special Funds for Graduate Student Innovation in Jiangxi Province (No. YC09B012) are gratefully acknowledged.

Notes

^a ― represents the IL-ATPS is unable to form.

^b R represents the phase volume ratio between the upper and lower phases.

^c D represents the distribution ratio between the upper and lower phases.

^d E represents extraction efficiency.

^a ― represents the IL-ATPS is unable to form.

^b R represents the phase volume ratio between the upper and lower phases.

^c D represents the distribution ratio between the upper and lower phases.

^d E represents extraction efficiency.

^a ― represents the IL-ATPS is unable to form.

^b R represents the phase volume ratio between the upper and lower phases.

^c D represents the distribution ratio between the upper and lower phases.

^d E represents extraction efficiency.

^a ― represents the IL-ATPS is unable to form.

^b R represents the phase volume ratio between the upper and lower phases.

^c D represents the distribution ratio between the upper and lower phases.

^d E represents extraction efficiency.

^a E represents extraction efficiency.