Multi-objective optimization of purification technology for licorice flavonoids based on entropy-weight method / 中草药

ABSTRACT

Objective: To multi-objectively optimize the purification process parameters of licorice flavonoids using entropy-weight method, Plackett-Burman design (PBD), and Box-Behnken design (BBD). Methods: On the basis of HPLC fingerprints of licorice, the macroporous resin type was chosen using the recovery rates of six components (liquiritin apioside, liquiritigenin, isoliquiritin apioside, licuraside, isoliquiritin, and neoisoiiquiritin) as detection indexes. Weights of the recovery rates of six components were determined by entropy-weight method, in order to obtain the comprehensive index. The significantly influencing factors were firstly evaluated by PBD, then purification conditions were optimized by BBD. Results: ADS-7 type resin showed a high selectivity for six components. The optimized purification technology was as follows pH value was 4.5, sample concentration was 0.20 g/mL, ratio of sample to resin was 1.0 g/g, flow rate was 0.6 mL/min, elution dosage was 6.7 BV, ethanol concentration was 83% of eluting agent, and elution rate was 1.0 mL/min. Under the conditions, the recovery rates of six components were 86%-97%, the theoretical and actual comprehensive indexes were 93.32% and 93.05%, respectively, with a relative error of 1.17%. Conclusion: Entropy-weight method combined with PBD and BBD-RSM used to optimize the purification process for the licorice flavonoids in this study is scientific and feasible, providing a new reference to realize the multi-objective optimization of the purification technology for active constituents in Chinese materia medica.