SUPERCRITICAL CARBON-DIOXIDE EXTRACTION OF PODOPHYLLOTOXIN FROM DYSOSMA-PLEIANTHA ROOTS

Supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) was utilized to extract podophyll otoxin from the roots of Dysosma pleiantha. The extraction was carried out in the temperature range of 40-80 degrees C and the pressure rang e of 13.6-34.0 MPa with supercritical carbon dioxide. However, podophy llotoxin was not sufficiently extracted by pure supercritical carbon d ioxide. Methanol was used as modifier to enhance the extraction yield of podophyllotoxin. As a result, SFE produced a higher recovery of pod ophyllotoxin than conventional 95 % ethanol extraction.