Microwave‐assisted extraction and rapid isolation of ursolic acid from the leaves of E ucalyptus × hybrida M aiden and its quantification using HPLC ‐diode array technique

• Published in: Journal of separation science Vol. 36; no. 7; pp. 1255 - 1262
• Main Authors: Verma, Subash C., Jain, Chhoten L., Kumari, Amita, Padhi, Madan M., Devalla, Ramesh B.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.04.2013
• ISSN: 1615-9306; 1615-9314
• DOI: 10.1002/jssc.201200950

Ursolic acid ( UA ) is the most important bioactive phytoconstituent of E ucalyptus × hybrida M aiden leaves and exhibits anticancer, antimutagenic, anti‐inflammatory, antioxidative, and antiprotozoal activities. In this study, microwave‐assisted extraction technique was employed for rapid isolation of UA from the leaves of E ucalyptus × hybrida and simultaneously HPLC ‐diode array method was developed for the quantification of UA . Effects of several experimental parameters on the extraction efficiencies of UA , such as type and volume of extraction solvents, microwave power and extraction time, were evaluated. The optimal extraction conditions were found to be 20 mL of a mixture of chloroform/methanol, 60:40; liquid‐to‐material ratio, 4:1; preleaching time, 10 min; microwave power, 600 W; temperature, 50°C; and microwave irradiation time, 5 min. Under the optimum conditions, the yield of UA was found to be 1.95 ± 0.08% in the dry leaves of E ucalyptus × hybrida . The results showed that microwave‐assisted extraction is a more rapid extraction method with higher yield and lower solvent consumptions than the conventional method. It is a faster, convenient, and appropriate method and it may be used for rapid isolation and quantification of UA and other important phytoconstituents present in the leaves of E ucalyptus × hybrida .