Ultrasonic Extraction Process Research Articles

Establishment and Optimization of Flavonoid Extraction and Detection System for Hemerocallis

Hemerocallis is a characteristic vegetable with outstanding edible and medicinal value. Flavonoids are important bioactive components of Hemerocallis. To improve the extraction efficiency and detection accuracy of flavonoids from Hemerocallis, we established a high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) detection system, which can simultaneously detect multiple flavonoids. In addition to the previously developed organic solvent extraction method, an ultrasonic-assisted extraction technique that uses fewer samples was established to extract flavonoids from Hemerocallis. The extraction conditions of the ultrasonic-assisted extraction were optimized via a single-factor experiment and a response surface experiment. The HPLC system detected and determined the contents of rutin, isoquercetin, myricetin, quercetin, apigenin, and diosmetin from 70 Hemerocallis germplasm resources. In addition, we evaluated the antioxidant activity of flavonoids in Hemerocallis using DPPH free radical scavenging capacity with ascorbic acid (Vc) as a positive control. The results showed that the optimum conditions for the ultrasonic extraction process were as follows: sample weight of 0.25 g, ethanol volume fraction of 72%, ethanol volume of 2.5 mL, and ultrasonic extraction time of 17 min. Under these conditions, flavonoid extraction had a strong scavenging effect on DPPH. With the increase in the sample solutions’ concentrations, its antioxidant capacity was gradually enhanced, and the DPPH scavenging rate reached 70.2%. The optimized ultrasonic-assisted extraction technology can increase the total content of six flavonoids in day lily bud by 59.01%, especially the content of rutin (increased by 64.41%) in Hemerocallis flower buds. Among 70 Hemerocallis plant resources, we selected materials H0087 and H0059 with high and stable flavonoid content, with the total content of six substances being 4390.54 ug/g and 3777.13 ug/g. Thus, this study provides a reference for extracting and determining flavonoid contents in Hemerocallis materials. It also provides a theoretical basis for high-quality individual plant breeding.

Ultrasonic pretreatment-solvent extraction process for separating zinc from pickling waste liquid

Solvent extraction is the most important method for non-ferrous metals extraction and separation. In this work, solvent extraction of zinc from pickling waste liquid is investigated by using di(l-methyl heptyl) methyl phosphate (P350) diluted in sulfonated kerosene. Introduction of ultrasonic enhanced reduction of Fe3+ in the pretreatment stage of pickling waste liquid. The effect of ultrasonic time on the reduction process of Fe3+ is studied. Compared with traditional restoration, the required time for reduction is greatly shortened. The functional relationship of organic phase composition, concentration of extractant, phase contacts time and phase ratio function in single-stage extraction is studied. When concentration of extractant is 25 %, phase ratio is 4:1, the contact time is 15 min and the single-stage extraction efficiency of Zn2+ can reach 80.8 %. The extraction efficiency of Zn2+ reaches 99 % through three-stage countercurrent recovery. When O/A is 1:2, 1.6 mol/L HCl is used as the stripping agent and the stripping efficiency of P350 can reach 90.4 %. In addition, extraction stoichiometry is determined by slope analysis and extraction mechanism is analyzed by FT-IR and mass spectrometry. Overall, this work provides a new solution in the extraction of zinc from pickling waste liquid.

Ultrasonic extraction, structural modification and gastric mucosal cells protective activity of a polysaccharide from Dendrobium denneanum

Optimize the ultrasonic extraction process of polysaccharides from Dendrobium denneanum by Response surface design (RSM). The main polysaccharide (DP40) from was separated by anion exchange chromatography, and its structure was modified by low-temperature plasma. The results showed that the polysaccharide extraction rate of ultrasonic was 22.98 ± 0.97%, which was significantly higher than water extraction method(P < 0.05). FT-IR showed that low-temperature plasma modification could improve the water solubility and OH content. NMR showed that the 1 → 6 glycosidic bonds of DP40 are transformed into 1 → 4 glycosidic bonds and 1 → 3 glycosidic bonds, and the α-configuration sugar ring is transformed into β-configuration after plasma treatment. SEM and TEM analysis showed that the morphology of modified DP40 changed from layered porous network structure to smooth morphology, and bulged into semicircular particles, and the degree of cross-linking of surface molecules increased. The results of biological activity experiments indicated that the modified polysaccharide (500–1000 μg·mL−1) can significantly improve the survival rate of GES-1 cells (p < 0.01). Compared with the untreated group, the high concentration of 1000 μg·mL−1 DP40-plasma could not only reduce ROS by 14.5% (p < 0.05) and MDA by 27.45% (p < 0.05), increase SOD activity by 28.27%, but also reduce cytokines (IL-8, TNF-α, IL-1β) by 31.82% (p < 0.05), 33.23% (p < 0.05) and 21.97% (p < 0.05), respectively. At the same time, low-temperature plasma modification can effectively reduce the caspase 3 activity, prevent cell apoptosis, and protect gastric mucosal cells from ethanol damage. Therefore, low-temperature plasma modification can improve the biological activity of DP40 polysaccharide by altering its structural characteristics. The results provide a new idea for the application of low-temperature plasma modification in biomacromolecules.

Graphene oxide assisted solvent for enhancing the coupled ultrasonic extraction process of curcumin from Curcuma longa L

ABSTRACT A coupled ultrasonic extraction process of curcumin from Curcuma longa L enhanced by the graphene-oxide-assisted solvent was developed. The yield was investigated in relation to extraction temperature, extraction time, ethanol volume fraction, and graphene oxide concentration. Response surface methodology was used to develop a quadratic model of the yield and extraction process. The optimum extraction parameters with the highest yield were obtained and the economic value was then assessed. Results showed that the coupling process could reduce the extraction time, extraction temperature, and ethanol volume fraction while improving the extraction yield. The optimal process parameters were 50.0°C extraction temperature, 1.5 h extraction time, 60.0% ethanol volume fraction, and 1.0 mg/g graphene oxide concentration. The highest extraction yield was 64.9 mg/g, which was better than that have been reported. It can save an estimated $1507 in production expenses for every ton of turmeric under the optimal extraction process. Moreover, the reduction in extraction temperature and ethanol volume fraction also means a safer and cleaner production environment, which highlights the greater potential application prospect of the extraction process developed in this paper.

HPLC-UV Analysis of Chrysophanol in Senna occidentalis Extract Obtained by Using the RSM-Optimized Ultrasonic Extraction Process

In this experiment, chrysophanol analysis in Senna occidentalis (aerial parts) extract obtained by optimizing ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) variables (temperature, time, and liquid-to-solid ratio) using response surface methodology (RSM) was performed by employing the HPLC-UV method. For UAE process optimization, a highly significant quadratic model (p &lt; 0.001) was projected to attain maximum chrysophanol yield. The extraction temperature, time, and liquid-to-solid ratio for the best UAE method were determined to be 49.3 °C, 57.7 min, and 18.7 mL/g, respectively. The optimized extract was subjected to a chrysophanol analysis utilizing HPLC-UV (fitted with a Pinnacle C18 column), and a gradient mobile phase composed of 0.5% formic acid (solvent A), acetonitrile (solvent B), methanol (solvent C), at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min, and an optimum wavelength of 279 nm, respectively. It furnished a compact and intense peak of chrysophanol at Rt = 23.809 min. The experimental value (20.47 mg/g) of chrysophanol obtained was close to the predicted value (19.32 mg/g), indicating that they agreed under the optimized extraction condition. UAE also displayed remarkable improvement in chrysophanol extraction compared with the conventional solvent extraction (CSE) method. Hence, our improved ultrasonic extraction process showed a potential use for effective chrysophanol extraction from commercial herbal supplements comprising the Senna species.

Hydrogen Protection Boosts the Bioactivity of Chrysanthemum morifolium Extract in Preventing Palmitate-Induced Endothelial Dysfunction by Restoring MFN2 and Alleviating Oxidative Stress in HAEC Cells.

As the most important natural antioxidants in plant extracts, polyphenols demonstrate versatile bioactivities and are susceptible to oxidation. The commonly used ultrasonic extraction often causes oxidation reactions involving the formation of free radicals. To minimize the oxidation effects during the ultrasonic extraction process, we designed a hydrogen (H2)-protected ultrasonic extraction method and used it in Chrysanthemum morifolium extraction. Hydrogen-protected extraction improved the total antioxidant capacity, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity, and polyphenol content of Chrysanthemum morifolium water extract (CME) compared with air and nitrogen (N2) conditions. We further investigated the protective effects and mechanisms of CME on palmitate (PA)-induced endothelial dysfunction in human aorta endothelial cells (HAECs). We found that hydrogen-protected CME (H2-CME) best-prevented impairment in nitric oxide (NO) production, endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) protein level, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial dysfunction. In addition, H2-CME prevented PA-induced endothelial dysfunction by restoring mitofusin-2 (MFN2) levels and maintaining redox balance.

The effect of natural antioxidants, pH, and green solvents upon catechins stability during ultrasonic extraction from green tea leaves (Camellia sinensis)

BackgroundThis is a first-time report to evaluate the effect of natural antioxidants, pH, and green solvents upon catechins yield and stability during the active process of extraction from green tea leaves. MethodologyGreen solvents (model-A) augmented with piperine (PPN) and quercetin (QT) as natural antioxidants (model-B) at different pH 2–6 (model-C) were used to extract catechins from green tea leaves using an ultrasonic extraction process (USE). For quantification of catechins (EC; epicatechins, ECG; epicatechin gallate, and EGCG; epigallocatechin gallate), a green and sensitive UHPLC-MS/MS method was developed and validated. ResultsThe UHPLC-MS/MS method showed an accuracy of 98.3–102.6 % within the linearity range of 1–500 ppb for EC (m/z) 289 → 245 → 109, ECG (m/z) 441.2 → 169 → 289, and EGCG (m/z) 457.1 → 169 → 125.1. The general yield (ppb) for EC, ECG, and EGCG was observed with the ranges and sum of (N = 180) 0.06–157.80 and 6696.83, 0.04–316.93 and 12632.60 and, 0.12–584.11 and 26144.83, respectively. Model-C revealed the highest yield for catechins at the lowest pH-2 with an individual catechin yield of EGCG (584.11) > ECG (316.93) > EC (157.80) in CW2. In terms of stability, EGCG was the most unstable catechin whereas, catechins extracted in model-B exhibited more stability (%recovery of 14.70 for EC, 10.55 for ECG, and 5.36 for EGCG in BEP). Moreover, model-B showed the minimal degradation for catechins within the range of 11.81–94.64 (BEP); even the most degradable EGCG was seen with the smallest %loss of 11.81–94.64 at time 24–70 h, as compared to the loss of > 95 % in model-A and C. The ANOVA score for catechins yield was; F11,168 = 61.06 (EC), F11,168 = 66.53 (ECG), and F11,168 = 48.92 (EGCG) (P = 0.00) with mean scores of (M = 94.63, SD = 25.46) for EC, (M = 194.87, SD = 51.41) ECG, and (M = 357.57, SD = 96.80) EGCG in CE2. ConclusionA significant effect on catechins yield and stability was observed with the use of natural antioxidants and lowest pH-2.

Study on Ultrasonic Enzyme-Assisted Extraction Process and Antioxidant Activity of Flavonoids from Sedum spectabile boreau flowers

Using Sedum spectabile boreau flowers as raw material, single factor and Box-Behnken response surface test were used to optimize the extraction conditions of Sedum spectabile boreau flavone assisted by ultrasonic enzymatic method, and the antioxidant activity of Sedum spectabile boreau flavone was analyzed in vitro. The results showed that the optimal extraction conditions of total Sedum spectabile boreau flavonoids were ultrasonic action time of 60 min, ethanol concentration of 35%, liquid-solid ratio (ml /g) was 20:1, and the amount of enzyme (cellulase: pectinase =1:1) was 3.2g.The study on the antioxidant activity of total flavonoids of Sedum spectabile boreau flower showed that its antioxidant capacity was gradually enhanced with the increase of the mass concentration of the test, which had a certain dose-effect relationship.

Optimization of enzymatic-assisted ultrasonic extraction process of total flavonoids from Sedum aizoon L. and its antioxidant activity

In order to optimize the enzymatic-assisted ultrasonic extraction method of total flavonoids from Sedum aizoon L., the effects of solid-liquid ratio, ethanol concentration, extraction temperature, extraction time, and ultrasound power on the extraction rate were investigated by single factor experiment. The optimum technological conditions for enzymatic-assisted ultrasonic extraction of total flavonoids from Sedum aizoon L. were as follows: solid-liquid ratio 1:55 (g/mL), ethanol volume fraction 60%, extraction temperature 45°C, extraction time 2 5 min, and ultrasound power 150 W. Under these conditions, the extraction rate of total flavonoids from Sedum aizoon L. could reach 10.77%. The antioxidant activity of flavonoids from Sedum aizoon L. was positively correlated with the concentration, and the greater the concentration, the stronger the antioxidant capacity. At a concentration of 0.96 mg/mL, the scavenging rate of the DPPH• radical reached 67.5%. The scavenging rate of the ABTs+• radical reached 55.8% at a concentration of 1.92 mg/mL.

Optimization of Extraction and Quality Evaluation of Abri Herba by Response Surface Methodology Combined with Quantitative Analysis of Multi-Components by a Single Marker.

Abri Herba (AH) is a famous medicinal and edible traditional Chinese medicine, which is usually used for liver disease. To date, few studies have been conducted on the ultrasonic extraction (UAE) process for AH and the application of quality analysis of multi-components by the single-marker (QAMS) method to evaluate the quality. To optimize the UAE process for AH, and develop and validate the quality evaluation of AH by the QAMS method. The UAE conditions of AH were optimized by response surface methodology with the total contents of protocatechuic acid, hydantoin, gardeniaine, vicenin-2, salvoside and isosalvoside as indicators, the ultrasonic time, methanol concentration and liquid to material ratio as parameters. The content of protocatechuic acid, hypaphorine, abrine, vicenin-2, schaftoside, and isoschaftoside in 12 batches of AH was first determined by the external standard method (ESM) using HPLC. After that, based on abrine as the internal standard, the relative correction factors (RCF) for protocatechuic acid, hypaphorine, vicenin-2, schaftoside and isoschaftoside were established, and the ESM method was used to verify the QAMS method. The results show that the optimal extraction process parameters for AH are an ultrasonic time of 22 min, a methanol concentration of 45%, and liquid to material ratio of 26 (mL/g). The QAMS results show that the relative correction factor has good reproducibility, and there is no significant difference between the results of the ESM method and the QAMS method for each chemical constituent, indicating that the research is feasible. The optimized extraction process of AH and the established QAMS-based quality control method are stable and can be used for the quality control of AH. A response surface methodology was used to optimize the ultrasonic extraction process for AH, and a QAMS method was established for evaluating the quality of AH.

Ultrasonic Extraction Process of Polysaccharides from Dendrobium nobile Lindl.: Optimization, Physicochemical Properties and Anti-Inflammatory Activity.

To optimize the ultrasonic extraction process of polysaccharides from Dendrobium nobile Lindl. (DNP), the extraction method was conducted through a single-factor test and the response-surface methodology (RSM). With the optimal extraction process (liquid–solid ratio of 40 mL/g, ultrasonic time of 30 min, and ultrasonic power of 400 W), the maximum extraction yield was 5.16 ± 0.41%. DNP1 and DNP2 were then fractionated via DEAE-QFF and Sephacryl S-300 HR chromatography. The molecular weight (Mw) of DNP1 was identified as 67.72 kDa, composed of Man (75.86 ± 0.05%) and Glc (24.14 ± 0.05%), and the Mw of DNP2 was 37.45 kDa, composed of Man (72.32 ± 0.03%) and Glc (27.68 ± 0.03%). Anti-inflammatory assays results showed that as DNPs were 200 μg/mL, and the contents of NO, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-10 in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells were about 13.39% and 13.39%, 43.88% and 43.51%, 17.80% and 15.37%, 13.84% and 20.66%, and 938.85% and 907.77% of those in control group, respectively. It was indicated that DNP1 and DNP2 inhibited the inflammatory response of RAW 264.7 cells induced by LPS via suppressing the level of NO and pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6) and promoting the secretion of anti-inflammatory cytokine (IL-10). Therefore, DNP1 and DNP2 have potential applications in the treatment of inflammatory injury.

Optimization of Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction of Polyphenols from Ilex latifolia Using Response Surface Methodology and Evaluation of Their Antioxidant Activity.

The polyphenolic extract of Ilex latifolia (PEIL) exhibits a variety of biological activities. An evaluation of the parameters influencing the ultrasonic extraction process and the assessment of PEIL antioxidant activity are presented herein. Response surface methodology (RSM) was used to optimize the experimental conditions for the polyphenols ultrasonic-assisted extraction (UAE) from the leaves of Ilex latifolia. We identified the following optimal conditions of PEIL: ethanol concentration of 53%, extraction temperature of 60 °C, extraction time of 26 min and liquid–solid ratio of 60 mL/g. Using these parameters, the UAE had a yield of 35.77 ± 0.26 mg GAE/g, similar to the value we predicted using RSM (35.864 mg GAE/g). The antioxidant activity of PEIL was assessed in vitro, using various assays, as well as in vivo. We tested the effects of various doses of PEIL on D-galactose induced aging. Vitamin C (Vc) was used as positive control. After 21 days of administration, we measured superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities, malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in mouse serum and liver tissue. The results demonstrated that the PEIL exhibits potent radical scavenging activity against 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrythydrazyl (DPPH∙), 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS+), and hydroxyl (∙OH) radicals. The serum concentrations of SOD and GSH-Px were higher, and MDA levels were lower, in the medium- and high-dose PEIL-treated groups than those in the aging group (p < 0.01), and the activity of MDA was lower than those of the model group (p < 0.01). The liver concentrations of SOD and GSH-Px were higher (p < 0.05), and MDA levels were lower, in the medium- and high-dose PEIL-treated groups than those in the aging control group (p < 0.01). These results suggest that optimizing the conditions of UAE using RSM could significantly increase the yield of PEIL extraction. PEIL possesses strong antioxidant activity and use as a medicine or functional food could be further investigated.

Optimization of Ultrasonic-Assisted Extraction of Total Flavonoids from Abrus Cantoniensis (Abriherba) by Response Surface Methodology and Evaluation of Its Anti-Inflammatory Effect.

Abrus cantoniensis is a Chinese herbal medicine with efficacy in clearing heat and detoxification, as well as relieving liver pain. The whole plant, except the seeds, can be used and consumed. Flavonoids have been found in modern pharmacological studies to have important biological activities, such as anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antioxidant properties. The antibacterial and antioxidant bioactivities of the total flavonoids of Abrus cantoniensis (ATF) have been widely reported in national and international journals, but there are fewer studies on their anti-inflammatory effects. The present study focused on the optimization of the ultrasonic extraction process of ATF by response surface methodology and the study of its anti-inflammatory effects in vitro and in vivo. The results showed that the factors that had a great impact on the ATF extraction were the material-to-liquid ratio, ultrasonic extraction cycles and ethanol concentration. The best extraction process used a material-to-liquid ratio of 1:47, ultrasonic extraction cycles of 4 times, an ethanol concentration of 50%, an ultrasonic extraction time of 40 min and an ultrasonic power of 125 W. Under these conditions, the actual extraction rate of total flavonoids was 3.68%, which was not significantly different from the predicted value of 3.71%. In an in vitro anti-inflammatory assay, ATF was found to be effective in alleviating LPS (lipopolysaccharide)-induced inflammation in mouse peritoneal macrophages. In an in vivo anti-inflammatory assay, ATF was found to have a significant inhibitory effect on xylene-induced ear swelling in mice and cotton ball granuloma in mice, and the inhibitory effect was close to that of the positive control drug dexamethasone. This may provide a theoretical basis for the further development of the medicinal value of Abrus cantoniensis.

Composition and structure characteristics of soluble organic matter from Naomaohu lignite by sequential extraction and thermal conversion performance of the corresponding residue

Carbon disulfide (CDS), methanol, acetone and isometric carbon disulfide/acetone mixture (IMCDSAM) were used as solvents to sequentially extract Naomaohu lignite (NL) via ultrasonic-assisted extraction to obtain extracts (E1–E4) and final extraction residue (ER). Composition and structure of E1–E4 were analyzed by GC-MS. It is found that the main compounds in E1 are alkanes, aromatics, alcohols and esters. Alkanes, alcohols and esters are the main compounds in E2. Alcohols, phenolics and esters are the main components in E3, and esters are mainly phthalic diester compounds. Affected by synergistic effect of the two solvents CDS and acetone, the relative content of alkenes in E4 is relatively high. FT-IR was used to characterize functional groups in NL, E1–E4 and ER. The results show that the ultrasonic extraction process only extracts free small compounds from macromolecular skeleton of the NL and some other molecules, which connect the macromolecular skeleton by weak covalent bonds, and the process does not destroy the macromolecular skeleton structure. In addition, peak fitting results from FT-IR show that types of infrared absorption peaks in ER do not change after ultrasonic extraction, while intensity of the peaks varies. TG-DTG profiles of NL and ER indicate that after ultrasonic extraction weight loss of NL increases from 47.09% to 51.04%, and peak of the maximum weight loss rate is advanced from 450 to 430°C. Pyrolysis kinetic analysis of NL and ER based on Coats-Redfern model show that after ultrasonic extraction activation energy of ER in rapid pyrolysis stage is lower than that of NL, and the pyrolysis process is easier to proceed.

Optimization and kinetic modeling of ultrasonic-assisted extraction of fucoxanthin from edible brown algae Sargassum fusiforme using green solvents

The development of green and sustainable extraction technologies for various naturally active biomaterials is gaining increasing attention due to their environmentally friendly advantages. In this work, the ultrasonic-assisted extraction of fucoxanthin from edible brown algae Sargassum fusiforme using different green solvents was presented. Ethyl lactate, limonene, soybean oil, and sunflower oil were used in place of traditional organic solvents. Ethyl lactate showed similar performance to organic solvents, whereas limonene and vegetable oil exhibited higher selectivity for fucoxanthin. Moreover, the effects of various extraction factors, including liquid/solid ratio, extraction time, extraction temperature, as well as amplitude were studied. The optimal conditions were optimized as follows: liquid/solid ratio, 40 mL/g; extraction time, 27 min; extraction temperature, 75 ℃; amplitude, 53%; and solvent, ethyl lactate. Optimal model of second-order kinetic parameters (rate constant, equilibrium concentration, and initial extraction rate) was successfully developed for describing the dynamic ultrasonic extraction process under different operating conditions.

Eco-Friendly Catechin’s Gambir Extraction Using an Ultrasonic Bath

Gambir is an extract from the gambir plant (Uncaria gambir Roxb.) which has high economic value and potential for development. In Indonesia, the largest gambier-producing region is West Sumatra where traditional methods are still used for the processes of harvesting, steaming, pressing, clumping, draining, printing, and drying. Traditionally processed gambir products generally have a variety of catechins which need to be removed to improve purity. In this study, a range of treatments was trialed to do this using readily available equipment and no dangerous chemicals so they could be easily used by local farmers. It was expected that the appropriate treatment will result in higher quality gambir that can be sold at a higher price. The highest antioxidant activity (1.8940 mg/ml) and catechin levels (933.45 µg / mg) were obtained using the ultrasonic extraction process for 90 minutes. The highest polyphenol content was found in gambir without ultrasonic treatment and was 5.0776 mg/ml

Optimization of ultrasonic extraction of Lycium barbarum polysaccharides using response surface methodology

Abstract Ultrasonic extraction was a new development method to achieve high-efficiency extraction of Lycium barbarum polysaccharides instead of hot water extraction. In this paper, the single factor method combined with the box Behnken design of response surface method was used to study the influence of extraction time, extraction temperature, material liquid ratio and ultrasonic power on the extraction rate of L. barbarum polysaccharide. The results indicated that the best extraction rate of L. barbarum polysaccharide was 12.54 ± 0.12% under the conditions of 80 min for extraction time, 73 °C for extraction temperature, 1 g:38 mL for material to liquid ratio, and 185 W for ultrasonic power. Under the same operating conditions, the yield of L. barbarum polysaccharide using ultrasonic extraction was 83.3%, which was higher than that hot water extraction. Moreover, the extraction time of ultrasonic extraction was only 47% of that using hot water extraction. This suggested that there was great potentials of using ultrasonic extraction in the realization of high-efficiency extraction of L. barbarum polysaccharide. The results of this study could also provide a theoretical basis for the coupling of ultrasonic extraction and ultrasonic concentration process to develop the integrated equipment of both ultrasonic extraction and ultrasonic concentration.

Ultrasonic Assisted Extraction and Gas Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectroscopy (GC-MS/MS) Analysis of Extracts from Four Cassia Species

Ultrasonic assisted extraction (UAE) process increases the rate of extraction, the yield of extracted components and reduces extraction time. The high sensitivity of GC-MS/MS provides reliable identification of phytoconstituents present in a plant extract. This research is to develop an easy and effective method for the extraction and analysis of phytochemicals in C. singueana, C. sieberiana, C. tora and C. occidentalis using UAE and GC-MS/MS techniques. The crude extracts obtained from the four Cassia species under UAE conditions of 50 mins extraction time, 50 oC extraction temperature and 20 mL/g solvent to sample ratio were analyzed using GC-MS/MS. Thirty-four compounds were identified by comparison of their mass spectra with those in the National Institute of Standards and Technology library, requiring at least 80% similarity. These compounds comprise fatty acids, fatty alcohol, carboxylic acid, long-chain alkanes, diterpenes, triterpenes, sterols and anthraquinones. n-Hexadecanoic acid and phytol were identified in all the Cassia species while anthraquinone was detected only from the methanol extracts of C. tora and C. occidentalis. The bioactivities reported in the literature for these compounds corroborate with the phytoconstituents identified in these plants and support the ethnomedicinal uses of these Cassia species.

Simultaneous Optimization of the Ultrasonic Extraction Method and Determination of the Antioxidant Activities of Hydroxysafflor Yellow A and Anhydrosafflor Yellow B from Safflower Using a Response Surface Methodology.

An evaluation of the ultrasonic extraction process and the antioxidant activities of hydroxysafflor yellow A (HSYA) and anhydrosafflor yellow B (AHSYB) from safflower are presented herein. Using response surface methodology (RSM), based on a four-factor-three-level Box–Behnken design (BBD), the extraction parameters, namely, temperature, extraction time, solvent-to-material ratio, and extraction power, were optimized for maximizing the yields of HSYA and AHSYB. The maximum yield was obtained at a temperature of 66 °C with an extraction time of 36 min, solvent-to-material ratio of 16 mL/g, and the extraction power of 150 W, which was adjusted according to the actual conditions. The HSYA and AHSYB contents were determined using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The yield and the comprehensive evaluation value of HSYA and AHSYB were calculated. The antioxidant activities of the extracts were determined using a ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) kit and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity. The results suggested that the safflower extracts possessed obvious ferric reducing and DPPH radical scavenging activities. The antioxidant activity increased with increasing concentration. The results suggested that optimizing the conditions of ultrasonic extraction using RSM can significantly increase the yields of HSYA and AHSYB from safflower. The safflower extracts showed better antioxidant activity. This study can encourage future research on cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases.

Optimization of Ultrasonic Flavonoid Extraction from Saussurea involucrate, and the Ability of Flavonoids to Block Melanin Deposition in Human Melanocytes.

(1) Background: Flavonoids are the primary medicinal ingredient of Saussurea involucrate, which have significant antioxidant capacity. Optimizing the extraction of Saussurea involucrate flavonoids (SIFs) and exploring the ability to block melanin deposition caused by reactive oxygen can greatly promote the development of S. involucrate whitening products. (2) Methods: Ultrasonic extraction process was optimized using the Box–Behnken design (BBD) and response surface methodology (RSM). Then, the effect of SIFs on antioxidant activity and anti-deposition of melanin, and genes related to the melanin synthesis are studied. (3) Results: The optimal extraction procedures are as follows: the extraction time, ethanol content, and solvent ratio (v/w) are 64 min, 54%, and 54:1, respectively. The reducing activity and scavenging rates of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), superoxide anion, hydroxyl radical, and ABTS+ were promoted as more S. involucrate flavonoid extract was added. The SIFs extract induced a decrease in the melanin synthesis by inhibiting the human melanoma A375 cell tyrosinase activity. SIFs also depress expression of melanin synthesis related genes. (4) Conclusions: the highest SIFs content was obtained by using 54% ethanol and 54:1 solvent ratio (v/w) for 64 min. The extract of SIFs exhibited good ability of antioxidant and anti-deposition of melanin in human melanocytes.