Welcome to Chinese Agricultural Science Bulletin,

Chinese Agricultural Science Bulletin ›› 2014, Vol. 30 ›› Issue (34): 56-60.doi: 10.11924/j.issn.1000-6850.2014-2504

Special Issue: 园艺

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Optimization for the Extraction Process of Levodopa from Broad Bean Flowers

Xu Xiaoyu1, Li Aiping1, Wu Lingyun2, Zheng Kaibin1,3   

  1. (1Crop Research Institute, Fujian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Fuzhou 350013;
    2Farmland, Soil & Fertilizer Technology Center of Fujian Province, Fuzhou 350003;
    3Sugarcane Research Institute, Fujian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Zhangzhou Fujian 363005)
  • Received:2014-09-15 Revised:2014-12-10 Accepted:2014-11-04 Online:2015-03-10 Published:2015-03-10

Abstract: In order to improve the extraction rate of levodopa from broad bean flowers, the extraction process was optimized by heating reflux extraction. Through single factor and orthogonal test design, the effects of the ratio of liquid to material, solvent pH and extraction time on the extraction yield of levodopa from broad bean flowers were investigated. The optimum extraction conditions were determined as follow: the ratio of liquid to material 20:1, solvent pH 4.5, extraction time 2 h. Under the optimized conditions, the extraction rate of levodopa was 3.67%, which was 3.67% higher than cold maceration. The ethanol was used to adjust the pH value of solvent in the process, which could inhibit the precipitation of the water soluble impurities. The impurity components were less in the extract and the separation of levodopa and impurities was good by HPLC, so it’s conducive to the further purification of levodopa. The study can provide a technical basis for the industrial extraction of levodopa from broad bean flowers.