Optimization of homogenate extraction of theasaponin from Camellia oleifera Abel. meal

In order to study the homogenate extraction of theasaponin from Camellia oleifera Abel. meal, effects of three independent variables, namely ethanol concentration, extraction time and liquid/solid ratio, on the yield of theasaponin were investigated by means of response surface methodology (RSM) combined with Box-Behnken experimental design based on the single factor experiments. Results showed that the optimal extraction conditions were as follows: the ethanol concentration was 78%, the extraction time was 40 s, and the liquid/solid ratio was 20 mL/g. Under these conditions, the yield of theasaponin was 21.09% ± 0.26%, which agreed with the predicted value. Compared with the traditional heat refluxing extraction method, the yield of theasaponin obtained from the homogenate extraction method had a bit of increase, the extraction time was shorter (6 h and 40 s, respectively), and the extraction temperature was lower (70℃ and 20~25℃, respectively). The homogenate extraction is an ideal method to extract theasaponin from Camellia oleifera Abel. meal.