Experimental Optimization of Solid- Liquid Extraction

Valerian plant contains more than 150 components with physiological activity. Valerenic acid was pointed as a measure for Valeriana Officinalis type. Optimization of extraction was determined by percent of valerenic acid in dried extract and also the total percent of dried extract. There were set four variables of mesh size, type of solvent, temperature and time. There was found that a mesh size of 60 with ethanol 70% (by volume) as solvent at  boiling point and for 4h optimized the extraction. The percent of extracted valerenic acid was 0.3 by weight (recommended in pharmacopoeia).