Preliminary Research on the Enzymatic Extraction Technology of Total Flavonoids from Maize Embryos

[Objective] The research aimed to supply some useful parameters for optimizing the extraction conditions of natural flavonoids.[Method] The optimum parameters of enzymatic extraction technology were ascertained through orthogonal test and variance analysis and it was compared with conventional organic solvent method.[Result] It was shown in single factor experiments that when the cellulase concn.was 0.4 mg/ml,the hydrolysis efficiency was highest;when the pH value was 4.5,the yield rate of total flavonoids was highest;when the hydrolysis temperature was 50～55 ℃,the yield rate of total flavonoids was relatively higher and that of total flavonoids from hydrolysis for 2.5 h was highest.The influences of various factors on the yield rate of total flavonoids were as follows: pH value enzyme dosage hydrolysis time hydrolysis temperature.Through orthogonal test and variance analysis,the extraction parameters of total flavonoids from maize embryos were ascertained as hydrolysis with cellulase concn.of 0.5 mg/ml and pH value of 4.5 under 50 ℃ for 3 h,then extraction for 120 min under 80 ℃.The average yield rates of total flavonoids extracted by enzymatic method and organic solvent method were 4.65% and 2.46% resp.[Conclusion] The extraction conditions of enzymatic extraction were mild and it was suitable for industrial production and could replace conventional organic solvent method completely.