ABSTRACT
Objective: To study the powder characteristics and dissolution behavior of the composition in decoction for boiling powders of Chinese materia medica, and to provide scientific evidence for particle size control and its application. Methods: Four kinds of herbal pieces such as Scutellariae Radix, Coptidis Rhizoma, Puerariae Radix, and Glycyrrhizae Preparata Radix were prepared in powders. Powder characteristics including particles distribution and mobility, and dispersion properties of particles in the water decoction were investigated. Additionally, dissolution behaviors of the composition in decoction made from powders and pieces were compared. Results: Well-distributed particles and high mobility were observed in Scutellariae Radix, Coptidis Rhizoma, and Glycyrrhizae Radix Preparata powders, rather than in Puerariae Radix powder. The suspended particles in the decoction in both powders and pieces were submicron. However, optical and electrical properties showed that the suspended particles in the decoction made from powders were more, bigger, and easier to settle as heterogeneous liquid was. Dissolution velocity and amount of the active ingredients in the decoction made from powders were significantly higher than those of pieces. Conclusion: As a new type of herbal decoction which could increase the dissolution of active ingredients, it could shorten decocting duration and improve the availability of herbs. The boiling powders are worth being studied and promoted.
ABSTRACT
Objective: To explore the advantages of decompression extraction applied in the preparation of Sansheng Hehuang Decoction (SHD). Methods: The process parameters of decompression extraction of SHD were optimized using synephrine and magnolol as indexes, the active components content, extract yield, extract powder characteristics, and volatile components by decompression extraction and atmospheric extraction were compared, and the microcosmic structures of synephrine and magnolol were observed. Results: The optimum extraction parameters were as follows: vacuum degree of 0.08 MPa (60°C), extracting twice for 30 min each time, and solid-liquid ratio of 1:10. Compared with the extraction at normal pressure by water, the content of synephrine increased by 13%, the extracting rate of magnolol increased by 10% while the extracting rate of timosaponin BII was almost the same, and the yield of the dried extract decreased by about 33%. The kinds of volatile components by decompression extraction were almost the same as those by atmospheric extraction, but the yield was lower than that by atmospheric extraction. Besides, the powder characteristics including flowability and hygroscopicity of the extract prepared by decompression extraction were similar to those by water extraction and alcohol precipitation at normal pressure. Scanning electron microscopy showed that the decompression extraction did not break the cell wall, and the cells presented arrangement disorder and shrinkage, while the cell integrity was better than that extracted at normal pressure. Conclusion: In regard to energy consumption, extraction effectness, and convenience to the subsequent preparation, the decompression extraction method is superior to the traditional atmospheric extraction method, and it could be applied in the extraction process for Chinese materia medica preparations.
ABSTRACT
Objective: To prepare the three kinds of superfine powder of Fritillariae Thunbergii Bulbus (FTB), Gastrodiae Radix (GR), and Rhodiolae Crenulateae Radix et Rhizoma (RCRR) and compare the differences of their physicochemical properties in different patical diameters of Chinese materia medica (CMM) powder. Methods: The superfine powder of FTB, GR, and RCRR was prepared to investigate the powder characteristics for the particle diameters, powder morphology, liquidity, and hygroscopicity. Furthermore, the ethanol extract and the effective ingredient content were quantified to evaluate the impact of particle diameters on the physicochemical properties of FTB, GR, and RCRR. Results: There were differences between the common and superfine powder in physicochemical characteristics. With the decreasing of particle diameters of FTB, GR, and RCRR powder, both the specific surface area and the moisture increased while the liquidity decreased slightly. The alcohol soluble extract and effective ingredient content increased. Conclusion: After superfine grinding, the powder properties of FTB, GR, and RCRR superfine powder are changed, the dissolution of effective ingredient is promoted, which provides the experimental references for the further study on the superfine powder of CMM.