Improved extraction and recrystallization of high-quality aleuritic acid from natural resins using a modified technique

Abstract

ABSTRACT The current extraction procedures for aleuritic acid from natural resins (seedlacs) are time-consuming and provide a variable yield of 10–20% with a purity of 70–94%. Furthermore, the perfume industries do not consider this low purity level to be a viable starting material for commercial purposes, since it necessitates further purification by multistage crystallization, resulting in 40–50% aleuritic acid losses. The current study developed a modified extraction method that combines alkaline hydrolysis with a salting-out mechanism and a polarity-manipulated solvent system suited for purification via a single-step recrystallization procedure. The extraction method consistently produces 17–18 grams of aleuritic acid per 100 grams of fresh resins, with a purity of > 99% and a melting point of 100 0C. Furthermore, the developed recrystallization technique resulted in a recovered yield of 85–95%, unlike the traditional recrystallization techniques, which results in yield losses of 40–50%. The purity of aleuritic acid was determined using HPLC equipped with an RI detector, and the melting points and crystals were characterized using Differential Scanning Calorimetry and Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope. The new approach was less expensive, more ecologically friendly, and provides standard-quality aleuritic acid while using fewer chemicals.