Supercritical fluid extraction of alkylamides from Echinacea angustifolia.
Echinacea has been known for its immunostimulatory activity, and its alkylamide components have been linked to such biological activity. Consequently, alkylamides in Echinacea angustifolia were extracted using supercritical carbon dioxide from fresh and dried roots at 45-60 degrees C and 34-55 MPa, and the alkylamide yield in the extracts was determined. The yield of alkylamides from fresh roots increased with temperature yet decreased with pressure, whereas the yield from air-dried roots (moisture content 8.4%) increased with both temperature and pressure. Freeze-drying of the roots to a moisture content of 4.9% did not result in any further increase in the yield compared to that of air-dried roots. Alkylamide yield of the ground dried roots extract was the highest (p < or = 0.05) among those from fresh, ground and unground E. angustifolia roots. Supercritical fluid extraction therefore shows potential for the recovery of alkylamides from dried Echinacea roots.
Sun
Li
L
Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada T6G 2P5.
Rezaei
Karamatollah A
KA
Temelli
Feral
F
Ooraikul
Buncha
B
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D000577:Amides / Q000032:analysis*; D002082:Butylamines / Q000032:analysis*; D002849:Chromatography, Gas; D025924:Chromatography, Supercritical Fluid / Q000295:instrumentation; D003890:Desiccation; D020900:Echinacea / Q000737:chemistry*; D015394:Molecular Structure; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry*; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000737:chemistry*; D011312:Pressure; D013696:Temperature
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D000577:Amides; D002082:Butylamines; D010936:Plant Extracts