Isolation and extraction of total flavonoids from Epimedium Koreanum Nakai by supercritical fluid extraction

In the present paper is reported the method for the isolation and extraction of total flavonoids of Epimedium Koreanum Nakai by means of supercritical fluid extraction (SFE). By examining pressure, temperature. amounts of modifier and extraction time, the optimized condition of SFE is confirmed as 30 MPa and 60 degreesC. with 70% ethanol as the modifier. The samples were statically extracted for 30 min, followed by dynamic extraction for 120 min at a flow rate of 6 mL/min. The quantitative analysis of total flavonoids was performed by UV-Vis spectrophotometry. Compared with the conventional method, the SFE method is more efficient. more rapid and more friendly environmentally.