Structural and thermodynamic factors on adsorptive interaction of certain flavonoids onto polymeric resins and activated carbon

• Adsorption of FVs was due to interplay of electrostatic and hydrophobic forces.
• Entropy–enthalpy compensation gave the thermodynamic basis of FV adsorption.
• These results can be implicated for design of alternative adsorbents for FVs.

Flavonoids (FVs) are a class of plant secondary metabolites with the largest group of phenolic compounds that have been recognized to possess many biological effects beneficial to health. Adsorption chromatography is best recommended for selective separation and purification of these molecules from plant extracts. Several experimental studies have been reported on adsorptive separation processes for their recovery; however there has been relatively less theoretical study on adsorption mechanism of FVs. In this study, we attempt to elucidate the adsorption mechanism by calculating the interaction energies and heat of adsorption theoretically and comparing them with the results reported by other workers. Such a study is thought to be useful also for deducing implication in design and development of appropriate adsorbent for effective separation and purification of FVs from the extracts of herbal plants.

Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide