Abstract
Saponin 15%~20% content in the seed cake ofCamellia oleiferaAbel, from which Camellia oil is squeezed, is a natural nonionic surface active agent and is extensively applied to emulsification, humectation, foaming, medicine, pesticide, and so on. In this paper, the extraction process of saponin was researched through a combining method of alkali solution and acid isolation. A quantitative method for saponin was established by ultraviolet spectrophotometer. The influence of extraction factors was investigated by a single-factor test and a response surface methodology. The results indicated that the optimal extraction conditions of saponin were extraction temperature 68°C, alkali solution pH 9.1, acid isolation pH 4.1, and liquid-solid ratio 15.9 : 1. The extraction rate of saponin was 76.12% at the optimal extraction conditions.
Highlights
There are about 5 million hectares of Camellia oleifera Abel forests in China
The effects of the extraction factors were examined by a single-factor test and a response surface methodology, in order to achieve optimal extraction conditions of saponin from the seed cake of Camellia oleifera Abel
The order of effects of different factors on saponin extraction rate was liquid-solid ratio > acid isolation pH > alkali solution pH > extraction temperature, suggesting that they were significant for the optimization of extraction of saponin from Camellia oleifera cake
Summary
There are about 5 million hectares of Camellia oleifera Abel forests in China. About 202 million tons of mature oil seed, 40 million tons of Camellia oleifera Abel oil, and 162 million tons of seed cake meal can be produced annually [1]. It can be extensively applied to chemical industry, building materials, agriculture, aquaculture, pharmaceutical and healthcare industries, and so forth [1,2,3,4,5] Most of these seed cakes have long been thrown away as rubbish in China, which results in a waste of saponin resources. Alkali solution and acid isolation method can effectively improve extraction rate of the desired product. It has advantages in investment, handiness of operation, environmental pollution, nonsolvent extraction, and so forth. There is few published literature on the application of the alkali solution and acid isolation method to produce saponin from the seed cake of Camellia oleifera Abel. The effects of the extraction factors were examined by a single-factor test and a response surface methodology, in order to achieve optimal extraction conditions of saponin from the seed cake of Camellia oleifera Abel
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
