Optimization of extraction technology for total alkaloids from Ligusticum chuanxiong by central composite design/response surface methodology

Objective To optimize the extraction process of total alkaloids from Ligusticum chuanxiong.Methods Independent variables were ethanol concentration,reflux time and solvent fold,and dependent variable was extraction rate of total alkaloids from Ligusticum chuanxiong.Levels of independent variables were regressed by multiple linearity and fitted by binomial.Response surface methodology was used to optimize the extraction process.We compared both observed and predicted values.Results Optimal extraction technology was: extracting twice by 8 times of 90% ethanol for 2 h each time.The optimum extraction process of total alkaloid content in Ligusticum chuanxiong was under 0.693 mg.g-1.Regression coefficients of binomial fitting complex model was as high as 0.957 3.Conclusion This extraction process of total alkaloids from Ligusticum chuanxiong by central composite design/response surface methodology is simple with high precision and good predictability.