Design and Optimization of the Extraction Process for Eclipta alba Linn. Using Response Surface Methodology

Eclipta alba (Family-Asteraceae) is a commercially important plant whose extract is used in numerous marketed formulations as one of the major ingredients. Most of the industries use conventional extraction techniques without considering the marker content extracted. Therefore, the present study was planned to optimize the extraction process for E. alba Linn. using response surface methodology. The powdered plant material was extracted by Soxhlet, reflux, maceration and ultrasonication using four solvents namely acetone, ethanol, 50% aqueous ethanol and 80% aqueous ethanol for each technique. Particle size, powder-to-solvent ratio and duration of extraction were other three variables used to optimize the extraction procedure. The extraction procedure was optimized on the basis of the weight of the extract and wedelolactone (the main bioactive marker) content using the response surface methodology with the Box-Behnken design. Soxhlet extraction using 50% aqueous ethanol with extraction time (4.65 h), powder-to-solvent ratio (5.29%w/v) and particle size (1.19 mm) gave best extract yield (900.04 mg) and wedelolactone content (0.4161%). The results showed that the proposed methodology can help in obtaining the maximum extraction yield thereby improving the quality and reproducibility of extract of this commercially important plant, and will also help in reducing production time and cost.