title: Evaluation of the efficiency of three different solvent systems to extract triterpene saponins from roots of Panax quinquefolius using high-performance liquid chromatography.
abstract: Despite the wide availability of liquid herbal extracts using mixtures of alcohol, glycerin, and water, or glycerin and water as solvents, no data on the chemical composition of such extracts is readily available. In this study, the amount and the stability of the major saponins in Panax quinquefolius root extracts, made either with 50% (v/v) aqueous ethanol, a mixture (v/v/v) of 20% ethanol, 40% glycerin, and 40% water, or with 65% (v/v) aqueous glycerin, were evaluated by HPLC-UV analysis. The amount of total saponins was highest in the 50% aqueous ethanol extract (61.7 +/- 0.1 mg/g dry root), although similar to the ethanol-glycerin-water extract (59.4 +/- 0.5 mg/g dry root). Saponins were significantly lower in the 65% aqueous glycerin extract (51.5 +/- 0.2 mg/g dry root). Interestingly, the amounts of individual saponins were quite variable depending on the solvent. This is in part due to enzymatic cleavage of ginsenosides in the glycerin containing extracts during the maceration process. Storage of the extracts at 25 degrees C over the period of a year led to a 13-15% loss of saponins with all three types of extractions.
authors.affiliation: Tom's of Maine, P.O. Box 710, Kennebunk, Maine 04043, USA. stefang@tomsofmaine.com
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gafner
authors.forename: Chantal
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bergeron
authors.forename: Megan M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: McCollom
authors.forename: Lorena M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Cooper
authors.forename: Kerry L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: McPhail
authors.forename: William H
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Gerwick
authors.forename: Cindy K
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Angerhofer
mesh_terms: D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D000431:Ethanol; D005990:Glycerol; D005894:Panax / Q000737:chemistry*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000737:chemistry*; D012503:Saponins / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D012997:Solvents; D014867:Water
chemical_list: D010936:Plant Extracts; D012503:Saponins; D012997:Solvents; D014867:Water; D000431:Ethanol; D005990:Glycerol