Preparation process of Angelica sinensis extract.

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Angelica sinensis extract

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1. Introduction

Angelica sinensis, a well - known traditional Chinese medicinal herb, has been widely used for centuries. The extract of Angelica sinensis is of significant value in various fields, such as medicine, cosmetics, and food additives. It contains a variety of active ingredients, including ferulic acid, ligustilide, and polysaccharides, which contribute to its diverse pharmacological effects, such as anti - inflammatory, antioxidant, and blood - regulating functions.

2. Raw Material Selection and Pretreatment

2.1 Selection of Angelica sinensis

The quality of Angelica sinensis as the raw material directly affects the quality of the extract. High - quality Angelica sinensis should be selected, which is usually characterized by intact appearance, no mildew or rot, and strong aroma. It is preferably sourced from reliable origins with standardized cultivation and harvesting processes.

2.2 Pretreatment

2.2.1 Cleaning: The first step in pretreatment is cleaning. Angelica sinensis needs to be thoroughly cleaned to remove dirt, sand, and other impurities. This can be achieved by soaking it in clean water for a certain period and then rinsing it several times.
2.2.2 Slicing: After cleaning, slicing is carried out. Slicing can increase the surface area of Angelica sinensis, which is beneficial for the subsequent extraction process. The thickness of the slices should be appropriate, usually around 2 - 5 mm.

3. Extraction Techniques

3.1 Solvent Extraction

3.1.1 Selection of Solvents: Solvent extraction is a common method. Ethanol, water, or a mixture of ethanol and water can be used as solvents. Ethanol is often preferred because it can dissolve a wide range of active ingredients in Angelica sinensis, and has certain antibacterial properties, which can help to preserve the extract.
3.1.2 Extraction Process: The sliced Angelica sinensis is placed in a suitable container, and the selected solvent is added at a certain ratio (such as 1:5 - 1:10 of raw material to solvent). Then, the mixture is stirred continuously at a certain temperature (usually room temperature to 80°C) for a certain period (several hours to days). During this process, the active ingredients in Angelica sinensis gradually dissolve into the solvent.

3.2 Ultrasonic - Assisted Extraction

3.2.1 Principle: Ultrasonic - assisted extraction is an advanced extraction technique. Ultrasonic waves can cause cavitation effects in the solvent, which can effectively break the cell walls of Angelica sinensis, allowing the active ingredients to be released more fully. This method can significantly shorten the extraction time and improve the extraction efficiency compared with traditional solvent extraction.
3.2.2 Procedure: In this method, the sliced Angelica sinensis and the solvent are placed in an ultrasonic extraction device. The ultrasonic power, frequency, and extraction time need to be optimized according to the characteristics of Angelica sinensis and the requirements of the extract. For example, the ultrasonic power can be set at 100 - 500 W, the frequency at 20 - 50 kHz, and the extraction time at 15 - 60 minutes.

3.3 Supercritical Fluid Extraction

3.3.1 Supercritical Fluids: Supercritical fluid extraction uses supercritical fluids as solvents. Carbon dioxide is the most commonly used supercritical fluid in the extraction of Angelica sinensis. Supercritical carbon dioxide has the characteristics of low toxicity, good diffusivity, and easy separation from the extract.
3.3.2 Extraction Conditions: The extraction process needs to control parameters such as pressure, temperature, and extraction time. For example, the pressure can be set at 10 - 30 MPa, the temperature at 35 - 60°C, and the extraction time at 1 - 3 hours. Under these conditions, the active ingredients in Angelica sinensis can be effectively extracted.

4. Purification and Separation

4.1 Filtration

After extraction, the extract contains a large amount of solid impurities. Filtration is used to remove these impurities. There are various filtration methods, such as vacuum filtration, pressure filtration, and membrane filtration. Membrane filtration, especially microfiltration and ultrafiltration, can not only remove solid impurities but also retain some large - molecular - weight active ingredients, which is beneficial for improving the quality of the extract.

4.2 Centrifugation

Centrifugation is another important purification method. By centrifuging the extract at a certain speed (usually 3000 - 10000 rpm) for a certain time (5 - 30 minutes), the remaining fine solid particles can be further separated from the liquid extract, making the extract clearer.

5. Quality Control

5.1 Determination of Active Ingredient Content

5.1.1 Analytical Methods: To ensure the quality of the Angelica sinensis extract, it is necessary to determine the content of active ingredients. High - performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) is a commonly used method for analyzing the content of ferulic acid, ligustilide, and other active ingredients. Spectrophotometry can also be used for the determination of polysaccharides and some phenolic compounds.
5.1.2 Standard Requirements: There are certain standard requirements for the content of active ingredients in the extract. For example, the content of ferulic acid should generally be within a certain range (such as 0.5% - 2%) depending on the application purpose of the extract.

5.2 Purity Detection

5.2.1 Residual Solvent Detection: Since solvents are used in the extraction process, it is necessary to detect the residual solvents in the extract. Gas chromatography (GC) is a common method for detecting residual ethanol, carbon dioxide, and other solvents. The residual solvent content should meet the relevant safety standards.
5.2.2 Impurity Detection: In addition to residual solvents, other impurities in the extract, such as heavy metals (lead, mercury, cadmium, etc.) and pesticides residues, also need to be detected. Atomic absorption spectrometry can be used for heavy metal detection, and chromatography - mass spectrometry can be used for pesticide residue detection. The content of these impurities should be within the allowable limits.

6. Conclusion

The preparation of Angelica sinensis extract involves multiple processes, including raw material pretreatment, extraction, purification, and quality control. Each process plays a crucial role in ensuring the quality and effectiveness of the extract. With the continuous development of technology, more advanced and efficient extraction and purification techniques are expected to be applied in the future, further improving the quality and application value of Angelica sinensis extract in various fields.

FAQ:

1. What are the main steps in the preparation process of Angelica sinensis extract?

The main steps include proper pre - treatment (such as cleaning and slicing), extraction using techniques like ultrasonic - assisted extraction, preliminary purification by filtration and centrifugation, and strict quality inspection to ensure the final product meets certain quality standards in terms of active ingredient content and purity.

2. Why is pre - treatment important in the preparation of Angelica sinensis extract?

Pre - treatment is essential because cleaning removes dirt and impurities, and slicing can increase the surface area of Angelica sinensis, which is beneficial for the subsequent extraction process, making it easier for the active ingredients to be released.

3. What is the advantage of ultrasonic - assisted extraction in preparing Angelica sinensis extract?

The advantage of ultrasonic - assisted extraction is that it can break cell walls more effectively. By doing so, it helps to release the active ingredients inside the cells of Angelica sinensis more thoroughly, thus improving the extraction efficiency.

4. How is the purity of Angelica sinensis extract ensured?

The purity of Angelica sinensis extract is ensured through a series of processes. After extraction, filtration and centrifugation are carried out for preliminary purification. Then, strict quality inspection is performed during the preparation process to ensure that the active ingredient content and purity of the final product meet the certain standards.

5. What quality standards should the final Angelica sinensis extract meet?

The final Angelica sinensis extract should meet certain standards in terms of active ingredient content and purity. These standards are determined to ensure the effectiveness and safety of the extract in different applications.

6. Can other extraction methods be used in the preparation of Angelica sinensis extract?

Yes, besides ultrasonic - assisted extraction, other extraction methods may also be applicable. However, different methods may have different extraction efficiencies and effects on the active ingredients, and the choice of method often depends on various factors such as cost, extraction requirements, and the characteristics of the active ingredients.

Related literature

• Preparation and Biological Activity of Angelica sinensis Extract
• Study on the Optimization of Angelica sinensis Extract Preparation Technology