CHARACTERISTICS OF EXTRACTED VALERENIC ACIDS FROM VALERIAN (VALERIANA OFFICINALIS) ROOT BY SUPERCRITICAL FLUID EXTRACTION USING CARBON DIOXIDE

摘要

The extraction of valerenic acids from valerian root by supercritical fluid extraction using CO_2 under different operating conditions was compared to extraction by percolation using 70% ethanol. The yield of total valerenic acids under pressures of 10-20 MPa and temperatures of 40-50℃ was about 85% of that achieved by percolation, while the addition of 5% ethanol or methanol as a modifier to the CO_2 resulted in the same yield as percolation. Moreover, maximal extraction was achieved in the faster time of 20 minutes and resulted in a more highly concentrated extract than obtained by percolation which would aid the manufacturing of liquid or dried products. Further studies on a larger scale would clarify the use of this technique commercially.