title: Ultrasound-assisted extraction of ginseng saponins from ginseng roots and cultured ginseng cells.
abstract: Ultrasound-assisted extraction was evaluated as a simpler and more effective alternative to conventional extraction methods for the isolation of ginsenosides (saponins) from various types of ginseng. The ginseng samples were extracted with different solvents, under either direct sonication by an ultrasound probe horn or indirect sonication in an ultrasound cleaning bath. The ultrasonic extraction was compared with the conventional method of refluxing boiling solvents in a soxhlet extractor, on the yields of both the total saponin isolated by thin-layer chromatography and the individual ginsenosides by high performance liquid chromatography. It was found that the sonication-assisted extraction of ginseng saponins was about three times faster than the traditional extraction method. The ultrasonic extraction was not only more efficient but also convenient for the recovery and purification of the active ingredients of plant materials. In addition, the sonication-assisted extraction can be carried out at lower temperatures which are favorable for the thermally unstable compounds.
authors.affiliation: Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong. bcjywu@polyu.edu.hk
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: F T
authors.initials: FT
authors.lastname: Chau
mesh_terms: D002855:Chromatography, Thin Layer / Q000379:methods; D005894:Panax / Q000737:chemistry*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000737:chemistry*; D010946:Plants, Medicinal; D012503:Saponins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D012997:Solvents; D014465:Ultrasonics
chemical_list: D010936:Plant Extracts; D012503:Saponins; D012997:Solvents