Effect of ultrasonic treatment of birch bark on betulin yield in extraction from Betula
https://doi.org/10.21285/achb.1013
EDN: HIAWFL
Abstract
Betulin is a natural pentacyclic triterpenoid compound exhibiting a wide range of biological activity. The industrial use of betulin as a pharmaceutical substance requires addressing several key issues, including intensification of extraction from plant raw materials and improvement of its bioavailability. The present study was aimed at examining the effect of preliminary ultrasonic treatment of crushed birch bark on the efficiency of subsequent extraction and the characteristics of the target product. The conducted experiment shows that power optimization of ultrasonic treatment within the range of 250–300 W increases the yield of extractive substances to 37.0%; after the purification stage, the yield of the crystalline product (betulin) increases by 14.9% compared to the control sample (without ultrasonic treatment of phytomass), which in relative terms amounts to an excess of 43%. A comprehensive purity analysis of the obtained compound (thin-layer chromatography; infrared spectroscopy; melting temperatures of 257–259 °С) confirmed the high efficiency of the proposed purification method for removing related impurities and preserving the structural integrity of the target substance. Thus, the use of solvent extraction combined with the ultrasonic homogenization of birch bark phytomass increases the yield of the target high-purity product, as well as reducing the consumption of raw materials and extraction solvents. These advantages contribute significantly to efficient use of resources, which suggests that it is technologically and economically feasible to scale up this process.
About the Authors
H. Xu
Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Huawei Xu, Postgraduate Student, Graduate School of Biotechnology and Food Science
12b, Politekhnicheskaya St., Akademicheskii municipal district, St. Petersburg, 195251
Ju. G. Bazarnova
Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Julia G. Bazarnova, Dr. Sci. (Engineering), Director of Graduate School of Biotechnology and Food Science
12b, Politekhnicheskaya St., Akademicheskii municipal district, St. Petersburg, 195251
A. A. Balabaev
Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Alexey A. Balabaev, Assistant Teacher, Graduate School of Biotechnology and Food Science
12b, Politekhnicheskaya St., Akademicheskii municipal district, St. Petersburg, 195251
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Review
For citations:
Xu H., Bazarnova J.G., Balabaev A.A. Effect of ultrasonic treatment of birch bark on betulin yield in extraction from Betula. Proceedings of Universities. Applied Chemistry and Biotechnology. 2025;15(4):487-494. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.21285/achb.1013. EDN: HIAWFL
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