EXTRACTION OF INDOLE ALKALOIDS FROM CATHARANTHUS ROSEUS BY USING SUPERCRITICAL CARBON DIOXIDE

Abstract

Indile alkaloids, particulary vindoline and catharanthine, were extracted from the leaves of catharanthus rosus by supercritical extraction with CO2. The contents of vindoline and catharanthine in the extractt were determined by HPLC and identified by LC/MS. About 52%(w/w) of the initial vindoline content, 1.5 mg vindoline/g dry w leaves, was recovered after extracting this material for 10h with the CO2 flow rate of 400 ml/min at 40 degree celsius and 150 bar. Vindoline concentration in the extract was 67 %(w/w).