Betulinic Acid from Zizyphus Joazeiro Bark Using Focused Microwave-Assisted Extraction and Response Surface Methodology

BACKGROUND The effect of the extraction time (min) and temperature (°C) on the yield of betulinic acid (BA) from Zizyphus joazeiro barks using focused microwave-assisted extraction was investigated. MATERIALS AND METHODS The ethyl acetate was used as extractor solvent because it was shown to provide a betulinic acid-clean extract. A full two-level statistical factorial design was applied to determine the important effects and interactions of these independent variables upon the yield of BA. RESULTS The conditions that produced the highest yield of BA were at temperature of 70°C and an extraction time of 15 min (3.33 mg per gram of plant). CONCLUSION The BA has drawn attention due to its use as a raw material in the synthesis of active compounds against the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). SUMMARY The extraction of betulinic acid (BA) from Zizyphus joazeiro barks using focused microwave was investigatedA full two-level statistical factorial design was applied to determine the effects and interactions of the independent variables (time and temperature) upon the yield of BAThe reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography with diode-array detector was used for quantification. Abbreviation used: BA: Betulinic acid; FMAE: Focused microwave assisted extraction; HPLC: High-performance liquid chromatography; RSD: Relative standard deviations.