D-limonene as an alternative for the extraction and purification of nuciferine from lotus leaf via multi-stage vortex assisted two-phase solvent extraction integrated with solid phase extraction using mesoporous material SBA-15 as adsorbent

• Published in: Sustainable chemistry and pharmacy Vol. 32; p. 100997
• Main Authors: Xu, Jiahuan, Peng, Lijin, Chu, Jianbo, Shi, Jing, Cui, Qinmin, Shi, Qiyuan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.05.2023
• Subjects: D-limonene; Nuciferine; SBA-15; Solid phase extraction; Vortex assisted two-phase solvent extraction; D-limonene; Solid phase extraction; Vortex assisted two-phase solvent extraction; SBA-15; Nuciferine
• ISSN: 2352-5541; 2352-5541
• DOI: 10.1016/j.scp.2023.100997

This work aims to resolve the environmental pollution caused by petroleum ether in the production of pure nuciferine from lotus leaf by applying bio-based solvent (D-limonene) and green solvent (ethyl acetate). Some obvious advantages were observed, over 97% of nuciferine could be extracted by vortex assisted two-phase solvent extraction based on multi-stage strategy (MS-VTSE), over 90% of nuciferine could be recovered by solid phase extraction (SPE), and over 97% of nuciferine could be obtained by pH-dependent liquid-liquid extraction (pH-LLE). It follows that the newly developed method can not only avoid the use of petroleum ether, but also increase the yield of the whole process by 14% (57%) in comparing with the result of the original one (50%) reported in our previous study. As D-limonene could by recycled conveniently, solvents replacement has little effect on the cost of production. In a word, the newly proposed method has advantages in environmental protection and solvent saving, thus, is fitting for the green and low-cost production of pure nuciferine from lotus leaf. [Display omitted] •An environment-friendly modification has been made for the production of nuciferine.•Extraction solvent petroleum ether was replaced with bio-based solvent D-limonene.•SBA-15 was chosen as an alternative to silica gel for the adsorption of nuciferine.•Ethyl acetate, a green solvent, was used to desorb nuciferine from SBA-15 column.•Petroleum ether was substituted by ethyl acetate in the pH-LLE of nuciferine.