Optimization of the Ultrasonic-Assisted Extraction Technology of Steroidal Saponins from Polygonatum kingianum Collett & Hemsl and Evaluating Its Quality Planted in Different Areas

Polygonatum kingianum Collett & Hemsl is one of the famous traditional Chinese herbs with satisfactory therapeutic effects on invigorating Qi, nourishing Yin and moistening lungs, in which steroidal saponins are one class of important active substances. The main purpose is to determine the optimal extraction technology of steroidal saponins and evaluate the quality of P. kingianum planted in five different areas. The optimal ultrasonic-assisted extraction (UAE) technology was established by using single-factor experiments and the response surface methodology (RSM), and the determination method of high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) for dioscin and diosgenin, two primary types of acid-hydrolyzed steroidal saponins, was constructed with good linear range and precision. The results showed that UAE was an efficient extraction method for steroidal saponins, and the extraction yield was significantly affected by the liquid-solid ratio. The optimal extraction technology was generated following a liquid-solid ratio of 10:1 (mL/g), an ethanol concentration of 85% (v/v), an extraction time of 75 min, an extraction temperature of 50 °C and three extractions, of which these parameters were in line with the predicted values calculated by RSM. Considering only dioscin and diosgenin, the quality of P. kingianum planted at five sample plots presented non-significant difference. However, the content of diosgenin in Pingbian Prefecture (PB) was higher than that of the other four areas with a value of 0.46 mg/g. Taken together, the optimal UAE technology for P. kingianum steroidal saponins was determined via RSM. The quality evaluation revealed that there was a non-significant difference among P. kingianum planted in different areas based on the contents of the sum of dioscin and diosgenin. This work has important reference value for the exploitation and utilization of P. kingianum.

Optimization of diosgenin extraction from Dioscorea deltoidea tubers using response surface methodology and artificial neural network modelling

INTRODUCTION

Dioscorea deltoidea var. deltoidea (Dioscoreaceae) is a valuable endangered plant of great medicinal and economic importance due to the presence of the bioactive compound diosgenin. In the present study, response surface methodology (RSM) and artificial neural network (ANN) modelling have been implemented to evaluate the diosgenin content from D. deltoidea. In addition, different extraction parameters have been also optimized and developed.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Firstly, Plackett-Burman design (PBD) was applied for screening the significant variables among the selected extraction parameters i.e. solvent composition, solid: solvent ratio, particle size, time, temperature, pH and extraction cycles on diosgenin yield. Among seven tested parameters only four parameters (particle size, solid: solvent ratio, time and temperature) were found to exert significant effect on the diosgenin extraction. Moreover, Box-Behnken design (BBD) was employed to optimize the significant extraction parameters for maximum diosgenin yield.

RESULTS

The most suitable condition for diosgenin extraction was found to be solid: solvent ratio (1:45), particle size (1.25 mm), time (45 min) and temperature (45°C). The maximum experimental yield of diosgenin (1.204% dry weight) was observed close to the predicted value (1.202% dry weight) on the basis of the chosen optimal extraction factors. The developed mathematical model fitted well with experimental data for diosgenin extraction.

CONCLUSIONS

Experimental validation revealed that a well trained ANN model has superior performance compared to a RSM model.

Ionic-Liquid-Mediated Extraction and Separation Processes for Bioactive Compounds: Past, Present, and Future Trends

Ionic liquids (ILs) have been proposed as promising media for the extraction and separation of bioactive compounds from the most diverse origins. This critical review offers a compilation on the main results achieved by the use of ionic-liquid-based processes in the extraction and separation/purification of a large range of bioactive compounds (including small organic extractable compounds from biomass, lipids, and other hydrophobic compounds, proteins, amino acids, nucleic acids, and pharmaceuticals). ILs have been studied as solvents, cosolvents, cosurfactants, electrolytes, and adjuvants, as well as used in the creation of IL-supported materials for separation purposes. The IL-based processes hitherto reported, such as IL-based solid-liquid extractions, IL-based liquid-liquid extractions, IL-modified materials, and IL-based crystallization approaches, are here reviewed and compared in terms of extraction and separation performance. The key accomplishments and future challenges to the field are discussed, with particular emphasis on the major lacunas found within the IL community dedicated to separation processes and by suggesting some steps to overcome the current limitations.

Time- and anion-dependent stimulation on triphosphopyridine nucleotide followed by antioxidant responses in Vibrio fischeri after exposure to 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium salts

A toxicity database of over 157 ionic liquids (ILs) was established on Vibrio fischeri (VF). The database contained mainly monotonic concentration-response relationship, and its application in risk assessment was challenged by potential non-monotonic hormetic effects of ILs. In the present study, the hormetic effects of 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium salts ([emim]X, X = BF4, Cl and Br) were confirmed on VF, and biochemical explanations were explored in a time-dependent manner. On luminescence, [emim]BF4 showed inhibitory effects compared with the control, and the median effective concentration (EC50) increased from 3.15E-02 to 8.88E-02 mol/L from 0.25 to 24 h. Notably, [emim]BF4 also showed stimulatory effects at 18 h when the maximum stimulation (Emin) was 51.8% higher than the control, and at 24 h when the Emin increased to 120% higher than the control. Compared with [emim]BF4, [emim]Cl had higher EC50 values which increased over time, while it had less maximum stimulation which also increased over time. In results of [emim]Br, there were only inhibitory effects. At the biochemical level, the stimulatory effects of [emim]BF4 and [emim]Cl on triphosphopyridine nucleotide (NADPH) and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) were earlier than those on luminescence. Moreover, NAD(P)H showed stimulation in [emim]Br which did not have hormetic effects on luminescence. Meanwhile, the effects of [emim]X on flavin mononucleotide, adenosine-triphosphate, reactive oxygen species, superoxide dismutase, catalase, reduced glutathione and lipid peroxidases showed consistent time-dependent changes with those on luminescence. The results indicated different roles between NAD(P)H and other biochemical indices, e.g., the antioxidant responses, in the stimulation of [emim]X on luminescence.

Time-dependent effects of [apyr]BF(4) and key contributors to their mixture stimulation on Vibrio qinghaiensis sp.-Q67 at apical and biochemical levels

Earlier reports studied the time-dependent effects of imidazolium-based ionic liquids ([amim]X) in the aspect of biochemical explanation and that of key contributor in mixture effects. Presently, the effects of N-alkylpyridinium-based ILs ([apyr]BF4) were studied combining the above two aspects, i.e., the time-dependent effects of [bpyr]BF4, [hpyr]BF4 and [opyr]BF4 on luminescence and biochemical indicators in Vibrio qinghaiensis sp.-Q67, and those of the mixtures. In individual results, the inhibition on luminescence increased over concentrations and the side chain length, showing concentration- and side chain-dependence. Moreover, the inhibition of [apyr]BF4 decreased from 0.25 to 24h, showing a time-dependence. Notably, [hpyr]BF4 stimulated the luminescence at 24h. The biochemical effects, including inhibition and stimulation, were well correlated to those on luminescence. In mixture results, the inhibition on luminescence was lower than the predicted effects by concentration addition model which was based on individual results. Moreover, the mixture stimulation on luminescence was significantly higher than individual ones, and the mixture stimulation on biochemical indicators was even greater than that on luminescence. In mixture effects, [bpyr]BF4 was the positive contributor, and [hpyr]BF4 was the negative contributor. Similarities and differences between [amim]X and [apyr]BF4 indicated underlying mechanisms of the commonly observed hormetic effects of ionic liquids.

Special Effect of Ionic Liquids on the Extraction of Flavonoid Glycosides from Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat by Microwave Assistance

A microwave-assisted extraction approach based on ionic liquids of different chain lengths was successfully applied to the extraction of ten flavonoid glycosides from the flowering heads of Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat. The pretreated sample was quantified by HPLC-ESI-MSⁿ. The main components were identified as flavonoid glycosides, including three luteolin glycosides, three apigenin glycosides, three kaempferide glycosides, and one acacetin glycoside according to the characteristics of the corresponding CID mass spectrometric patterns. Eight ionic liquids from the imidazolium family with different chain lengths, namely, 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide, [C_nmim]Br, (n = 2–16) were studied as extraction medium in water. Results indicated that alkyl chain length had an irregular impact on the extraction efficiency. Moreover, the best extraction efficiency was achieved by 1-dodecyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide aqueous solution ([C₁₂mim]Br). Besides the alkyl chain length of the cations, other factors influencing extraction efficiency were systematically investigated, including concentration of the IL solutions, extraction time, matrix-to-solvent ratio and irradiation power.