Extraction of resinoids from St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum L): I. Efficiency and optimization of extraction

Abstract

The extraction of resinoids from St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum L) was studied in a series of two papers. In the first part, the effects of the operating conditions on the yield of resinoids (total extract) were analyzed, while the mathematical models of extraction kinetics were compared in the second one. The extraction was carried out using an aqueous solution of ethanol (70 and 95 % v/v) at a hydromodulus (plant material to solvent ratio, w/v) of 1:5 or 1:10. The plant material was disintegrated and divided into three fractions (mean particle size: 0.23, 0.57 and 1.05 mm). The temperature was 25, 50 or about 80?C (boiling temperature). A higher yield of resinoids was obtained when the plant material of greater disintegration degree (0.23 mm) was treated with 70% v/v aqueous ethanol solution at higher hydromoduli (1:10) and temperatures (80?C). The effects of the operating factors on the yield of resinoids were estimated by using both the full factorial experimental plan 24 and artificial neuronic networks (ANN) of 3-4-1 topology. Of the two methods, the ANN one was found to be advantageous because of its capability of estimating the yield of resinoids in the whole range of the applied operating conditions.