ARS | Publication request: OPTIMIZATION OF EXTRACTION PROCESS FOR PHENOLIC COMPOUNDS FROM BLACK COHOSH (CIMICIFUGA RACEMOSA) BY PRESSURIZED LIQUID EXTRACTOR

Submitted to: Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: April 30, 2004
Publication Date: January 1, 2006
Citation: Mukhopadhyay, S., Robbins, R.J., Luthria, D.L. 2006. Optimization of extraction process for phenolic compounds from black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa) by pressurized liquid extractor. Journal of the Science of Food and Agricultural. 86:156-162.

Interpretive Summary: Phenolic components in plant-based foods are thought to have protective health benefits. To be able to measure these compounds in foods, a method to 'pull out' or extract them from the plant materials needs to be developed. A systematic investigation to optimize the extraction of total phenolics (TP) from black cohosh was studied in a Pressurized Liquid Extraction (PLE) apparatus with the aim of developing a general method. Variables such as solvent, temperature, pressure, particle size, number of extraction cycles and amount of solid material were identified as main factors that influence the extraction process. Mixture of methanol with water (60:40 % v/v) was found to be the best solvent. Two extraction cycles extracted nearly 96% of measured phenolics. At temperatures higher than 90ºC, extraction efficiency decreased and pressure was found to have a no effect on the extraction process

Technical Abstract: An investigation to optimize the extraction of total phenolics (TP) from black cohosh was studied in a Pressurized Liquid Extraction (PLE) system with the aim of developing a generalized approach for sample preparation for quantitative estimation of total phenolics from plant matrices. Operating parameters such as solvent composition, solid-to-solvent ratio, temperature, particle size and number of extraction cycles were identified as main variables that influence extraction efficiency. Mixture of methanol with water (60:40 % v/v) was found to be the best solvent. Two extraction cycles extracted nearly 96% of measured phenolics. The extraction efficiency was found to be maximum at a solid-to-solvent ratio of 80 mg/mL. At temperatures higher than 90ºC, extraction efficiency decreased. Pressure was found to have a negligible effect on the extraction. Particle size distribution was found to play an important role on extraction and should be considered when quantifying analytes from plant matrices.