A Green Method of Extracting and Recovering Flavonoids from Acanthopanax senticosus Using Deep Eutectic Solvents

Can a clever mixture of natural ingredients outsmart traditional chemicals in extracting medicinal treasures? By replacing harsh organic solvents with deep eutectic solvents, scientists have unlocked a cleaner, remarkably more efficient way to harvest valuable plant compounds.

The quest for green extraction methods has led researchers to explore deep eutectic solvents as eco-friendly alternatives for herbal medicines. In a recent study evaluating eight different deep eutectic solvents, a specific blend of glycerol and levulinic acid in a 1:1 ratio emerged as the top performer for extracting flavonoids from Acanthopanax senticosus.

Using response surface methodology, the team fine-tuned the extraction process. Optimal conditions required an ultrasonic power of 500 W, a water content of 28 percent, a solid-liquid ratio of 1:18 grams per milliliter, a temperature of 55 degrees Celsius, and a duration of 73 minutes. This tailored approach yielded a total flavonoid extraction of 23.928 milligrams per gram—surpassing traditional ultrasonic-assisted ethanol extraction by 40.7 percent.

To complete the eco-friendly cycle, the researchers tested macroporous resins to recover the compounds. The AB-8 resin proved most effective, achieving a recovery rate of 71.56 percent. Furthermore, the solvent demonstrated practical sustainability by being successfully reused twice. This ultrasonic-assisted technique paired with resin enrichment offers a promising, recyclable strategy for natural plant extraction.

Key Points

• Glycerol and levulinic acid mixture outperformed traditional ethanol extraction.
• AB-8 macroporous resin achieved a 71.56% flavonoid recovery rate.
• The deep eutectic solvent was successfully reused twice.