[Study on subcritical water extraction of baicalin from Radix Scutellariae coupled to high performance liquid...

A method for the extraction of baicalin from Radix Scutellariae with subcritical water coupled to high performance liquid chromatographic analysis was established. The effects of various parameters, which included the pressure, temperature, extraction time, and the particle size of the plant material as well as the solvent/sample ratio on the yield were investigated. Compared to the conventional organic solvent extraction method, the subcritical water extraction method showed shorter handling time and lower solvent consumption without waste producing. The optimal conditions of extraction of baicalin from Radix Scutellariae with subcritical water were 0.15 - 0.18 mm particle size, solvent/sample ratio of 0.2 mL/mg, 5 MPa, 130 degrees C for about 10 min. This technique seems very promising for the extraction of liposoluble substances from plant materials.