Enhanced extraction and preconcentration of main target saponins from Panax notoginseng root using green and efficient formulated surfactant aqueous systems

Abstract: In this study, the formulated surfactant aqueous system composed of 2% (w/v) Triton X-114 and 0.03% (w/v) Gemini 16-5-16 coupled with ultrasonic-assisted technology has been selected as an effective method for the extraction and preconcentration of five main saponin compounds in Panax notoginseng root samples. Under the optimum parameters, the extraction yields of notoginsenoside R 1 , ginsenosides Rg 1 , Re, Rb 1 and Rd could reach the values of 28.66 mg/g, 46.52 mg/g, 12.91 mg/g, 29.31 mg/g and 9.26 mg/g, respectively. And the preconcentration factor could be 11.5-fold. In addition, the proposed formulated surfactant system is also suitable for the subsequent HPLC analysis with excellent linearity correlation coefficient R 2  ≥ 0.99, high repeatability with relative standard deviation (RSD) of less than 4.45% and good recoveries within 97.12%–101.28%. Thus, the method gave higher extraction efficiencies, higher enhancement factors as well as excellent chromatographic performance than conventional solvents for the studied five main saponins in Panax notoginseng . In addition, the green and environmentally friendly formulated surfactant aqueous system which endows the safety and reliability of the extraction and preconcentration process. Moreover, this work is a one-step sample preparation procedure that integrated of extraction and preconcentration of target constituents. And the results indicated that the developed method possess the potential to large-scale extract and purify the bioactive components from plant materials.