ISOLATION OF VINDOLINE FROM CATHARANTHUS-ROSEUS BY SUPERCRITICAL FLUID EXTRACTION

Abstract

Vindoline was extracted from the leaves of Catharanthus roseus over the ranges of 35-70-degrees-C and 100-300 bar using supercritical carbon dioxide with and without the addition of 3 wt % ethanol as a cosolvent. The vindoline contents in the extracts were determined by HPLC and identified by LC/MS. The remarkable highest vindoline concentration, 58 wt %, was obtained at the lowest temperature, 35-degrees-C, and the highest pressure, 300 bar, of this study. The use of a cosolvent only slightly improved the extraction yields or selectivities at some experimental conditions.