Aqueous two phase system coupled with ultrasound for the extraction of total alkaloid from the peel of Zanthoxylum bungeanum

Objective: In this study the use of an aqueous two phase system coupled with ultrasound for the extraction of total alkaloid from the peel of Zanthoxylum bungeanum was evaluated and optimized using response surface methodology. Method: Using acidic dye colorimetry analysis methods and the ultrasonic coupling with propanol- potassium hydrogen phosphate aqueous two- phase system for extracting total alkaloid from the peel of Z.bungeanum was studied.The extraction of extraction time,extraction power and ratio of solvent to material were selected as response factors,the extraction rate of total alkaloid was selected as response value.According to Box- Benhnken design,three factors and three levels to optimize conditions on extraction ratio of total alkaloid were obtained.Result: The optimum extraction process of total alkaloid was: time of 46 min,extraction power of 250 W,solvent- material ratio of 22∶1 at which the highest extraction rate of total alkaloid was 18.87 mg / g.The comparative study showed that average extraction rate and the average purity were 38.75% and 39.64% higher than the ethanol extraction method.Conclusion: Ultrasonic coupled with aqueous two- phase system extraction technology of total alkaloid from the peel of Z.bungeanum has the advantage of high extraction rate,high purity,and the method was reliable,and provided the basis for its further development.