ABSTRACT
Objective: To optimize the conditions of the ethanol sterilization technology for Angelicae Sinensis Radix (ASR) primary powder and compare of its quality. Methods With the sterilization rate as the index and ethanol usage, ethanol concentration, sterilization temperature and sterilization time as factors, the response surface methodology based on the single-factor experiments was employed to optimize the ethanol sterilization process conditions. With the microbial content, extraction rate of volatile oil and the content of ferulic acid as the indexes, the effect of optimized ethanol sterilization process, the moist heat sterilization method and the dry heat sterilization method on the quality of the sterilization before and after of ASR primary powder were evaluated. Results The optimal parameters of ethanol sterilization technology were as follows: dosage of ethanol of 34%, ethanol concentration of 80% and sterilization temperature of 78 ℃, the sterilization rate was 99.59%. Comparing with the moist heat sterilization method and the dry heat sterilization method, ethanol sterilization method had some advantages, such as higher sterilization rate and better overall yield. Compared with the untreated product, the extraction rate of volatile oil increased 94.44% and the content of ferulic acid decreased 8% after the ethanol sterilization, while decreased 55.56% and 100% of extraction rate of volatile oil after the moist heat sterilization and the dry heat sterilization, respectively; And ferulic acid was destroyed completely. Conclusion The microbial indicators reached the requirement and the quality in chemical composition of ASR primary powder treated with the optimization of the ethanol sterilization process by the response surface method is better than that of conventional sterilization methods. It is expected to be an alternative to conventional sterilization methods of ASR primary powder.