Pressurized liquid extraction followed by high-performance liquid chromatography for determination of beta-ecdysone extracted from Pfaffia glomerata (Spreng.) Pedersen

Brazilian ginseng hides a powerful steroid-like compound — and a green extraction method just made it easier to unlock. Could the stem be the plant's most valuable part?

Forget the roots — the stem of Pfaffia glomerata, also known as Brazilian ginseng, may hold the highest concentration of its prized chemical marker. Researchers used pressurized liquid extraction (PLE), a green technique that uses hot, pressurized solvents, to pull beta-ecdysone from leaves, stems, and roots. They varied temperature and flow rate while keeping pressure, time, and solvent constant.

Temperature and flow rate significantly affected yields. The stem produced the highest yield at 0.764%, followed by roots (0.65%) and leaves (0.499%). High-performance liquid chromatography confirmed beta-ecdysone in all parts, with stem extracts reaching 195.86 mg L−1 — more than double the root's 76.53 mg L−1.

Raman spectroscopy confirmed the compound's signature peaks in every sample. Interestingly, a peak at 1460 cm−1 in the root extract hinted at selenium, adding a curious twist. This foundational work confirms PLE as an efficient, sustainable way to obtain beta-ecdysone from the entire plant.

Key Points

• Stem yields highest extract at 0.764%
• Beta-ecdysone confirmed in all plant parts
• Stem concentration 195.86 mg L−1, highest