Synthesis of glycyrrhetinic acid by hydrolysis of licorice root extract in subcritical water

摘要

A procedure for the synthesis of glycyrrhetinic acid (glycyrrhyzic acid aglicone) by hydrolysis of licorice root extract in subcritical water was developed. The procedure was shown to be more effective than conventional hydrolysis. Glycyrrhetinic acid was identified and its concentration in the product determined by high-performance liquid chromatography. A C-13 NMR spectroscopic study confirmed that glycyrrhetinic acid obtained in subcritical water had a beta configuration at the C-18 atom.