Ultrasound-assisted extraction of the three terpenoid indole alkaloids vindoline, catharanthine and vinblastine from Catharanthus roseus using ionic liquid aqueous solutions

Ionic liquid based, ultrasound-assisted extraction (ILUAE) was successfully applied to the extraction of 3 alkaloids, vindoline, catharanthine and vinblastine, from Catharanthus roseus. Twelve ionic liquids, with different cations and anions, were investigated in this work and [Amim]Br was selected as the optimal solvent. In addition, ultrasound extraction parameters, including soak time, solid–liquid ratio, ultrasound power and time, and the number of extraction cycles, were optimized. ILUAE offered short extraction times (from 0.5 h to 4 h) and remarkable efficiency. The use of ionic liquids, in the ultrasound-assisted extraction of key chemicals from medicinal plants therefore shows great potential.

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• Vindoline, catharanthine and vinblastine were first extracted by ionic liquids solution.
• 1-Allyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide was first reported for acting as extraction solvent.
• Extraction time has been reduced to 0.5 h, whereas the conventional method is about 4 h.
• The proposed approach was confirmed by good recovery and reproducibility.