Ultrasonic Assisted Multistage Countercurrent Extraction of Ginsenosides from Panax quiquefolium L.

Ultrasonic assisted multistage countercurrent extraction technique of ginsenosides Rb1, Rb2, Rc, Rd, Re, Rg1, and Rg2 from Panax quiquefolium L. was developed in this paper. It provides the analytic technique to determine simultaneously the seven major ginsenosides. The effects of ethanol concentration, ratio of liquid to solid, extraction temperature and extraction time on the extraction yields of the seven ginsenosides and total ginsenosides from Panax quiquefolium L.were investigated. The optimal process condition of ultrasonic assisted four-stage countercurrent extraction (4-UAMSCCE) was found using orthogonal array experimental design technique: 70% (v/v) ethanol solution, liquid: solid ratio of 10 ml/g, extraction temperature 45°C and extraction time 30 min. Under optimum process condition, the extraction efficiency of 4-UAMSCCE had been compared with those of conventional techniques including heat distillation extraction (HDE), ultrasonic assisted extraction (UAE), four-stage countercurrent extraction (4-MSCCE). Results show that the 4-UAMSCCE offers the highest ginsenosides extraction rate and considerable savings in time, energy and solvent consumption.