Transforming Process of Shikonin / 医药导报

Objective To investigate the optimal condition for transforming alkanna tinctoria pigment into shikonin. Methods Transformation rate of shikonin served as index. Transformation temperature, time, ratio of 2% NaOH to alkanna tinctoria pigment (v/w) was optimized. Results With ratio of 2% NaOH to alkanna tinctoria pigment being 4.5 mL·mg-1, temperature 35℃ and the reaction time 4 h, the transformation rate reached the highest, and the average transformation rate was 64.86%. Conclusion This method is easy and simple, and suitable for industrialized production.