Ultrasound-assisted extraction of rutin and quercetin from Euonymus alatus (Thunb.) Sieb

An ultrasonic method for the extractions of rutin and quercetin from Euonymus alatus (Thunb.) Sieb was investigated. The influence of four extraction variables on extraction yield of rutin and quercetin was discussed. The optimum extraction conditions found were: 70% aqueous ethanol; solvent: sample ratio 40:1 (v/w); extraction time 3 × 30 min. The recovery of rutin and quercetin and the reproducibility of the extraction method were determined. The optimized ultrasonic extraction conditions were applied to extract rutin and quercetin from dried stalks of E. alatus (Thunb.) Sieb. The application of sonication method was shown to be highly efficient in the extraction of rutin and quercetin from E. alatus (Thunb.) Sieb, compared with classical methods. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) micrographs provided evidence of more rapid opening of plant cells treated by UAE in contrast to maceration.