Optimization of Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction Followed by Macroporous Resin Purification for Maximal Recovery of Functional Components and Removal of Toxic Components from Ginkgo biloba Leaves

TL;DR: The process of ultrasound-assisted extraction followed by macroporous resin purification was successfully developed to achieve maximal recovery of functional components (flavonoids and ginkgolides) with minimal contents of toxic components (alkylphenols) from Ginkgo biloba leaves.

Abstract: In the present study, the process of ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) followed by macroporous resin purification was successfully developed to achieve maximal recovery of functional components (flavonoids and ginkgolides) with minimal contents of toxic components (alkylphenols) from Ginkgo biloba leaves Three effective extracted factors including HAc%, EtOH%, and UAE power were screened by Plackett–Burman design (PBD) The important variables were further optimized by rotatable central composite design (RCCD) By combination of PBD and RCCD, the resulting optimal UAE conditions were as follows: HAc% of 18%, EtOH% of 63%, ultrasound power of 303 W, G biloba leaves powder amount of 10 g (solvent-to-solid ratio 40 mL/g), particle size of 60 mesh, extraction time of 40 min, and extraction temperature of 45°C Under the optimum conditions, the yield of flavonoids was 251 ± 081 mg/g, ginkgolides was 106 ± 057 mg/g, and alkylphenols was 396 ± 031 mg/g Moreover, the further enriching the functional components and removing toxic components from the obtained extracts of G biloba leaves using the above optimum UAE condition was successfully achieved by macroporous resin DA-201 After column adsorption and desorption on DA-201, the content of total flavonoids was 3651 ± 153%, ginkgolides was 1324 ± 085%, and alkylphenols was 70 ± 10 μg/g from the obtained dry extracts (drug to extract ratio of 45-50:1) of G biloba leaves which were complied with Chinese pharmacopoeias