Extraction of glycyrrhizic acid by aqueous two-phase system formed by PEG and two environmentally friendly organic acid salts - sodium citrate and sodium tartrate

Abstract

Abstract Two aqueous two-phase systems (ATPS’s) formed by using PEG and sodium citrate/sodium tartrate are applied and compared for extraction of glycyrrhizic acid (GA) from its stock solution. Their binodal curves and tie-lines are studied firstly. Influence of usage amount of the salt and the PEG on the partition coefficient and extraction efficiency is investigated. The highest extraction efficiency and partition coefficient achieved is 73% and 6.5, when the sodium citrate and PEG concentration is 15% and 20% respectively. It is also found that the ATPS based on sodium citrate is better than sodium tartrate for GA extraction. The present study indicates that ATPS formed by biodegradable organic acid salts could be feasible and environment-friendly technique for GA and other bioactive compounds.