EXTRACTION OF INDOLE ALKALOIDS FROM CATHARANTHUS ROSEUS BY USING SUPERCRITICAL CARBON DIOXIDE

Indole alkaloids, particularly vindoline and catharanthine, were extracted from the leaves of Catharanthus roseus by supercritical extraction with CO2. The contents of vindoline and catharanthine in the extracts were determined by HPLC and identified by LC/MS. About 52 %(w/w) of the initial vindoline content, 1.5 mg vindoline/g dry wt leaves, was recovered after extracting this material for 10 h with the CO2 flow rate of 400 ml/min at 40 degrees C and 150 bar. Vindoline concentration in the extract was 67 %(w/w).