Optimized and Scalable Green Extraction of Pristimerin, an Anticancerigen from Mortonia greggii, by Ethanol–Phosphate Aqueous Two-Phase Systems

• Published in: Industrial & engineering chemistry research 2021-04, Vol.60 (15), p.5403-5410
• Main Authors: González-Félix, Martha Alicia, Mejía-Manzano, Luis Alberto, Barba-Dávila, Bertha A, Serna-Saldívar, Sergio O, González-Valdez, José
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Bioengineering
• ISSN: 0888-5885; 1520-5045
• DOI: 10.1021/acs.iecr.1c00473

The natural triterpene pristimerin possesses interesting potential against several types of cancer. However, its production at the industrial level requires novel environmentally friendly and efficient extraction procedures. Here, we analyze an ethanol–phosphate aqueous two-phase system and the effect of its design parameters such as the tie-line length (TLL) and volume ratio (V R), on the direct extraction of pristimerin. The results showed that a high TLL value of 70% (w/w) and a low V R value of 0.33 allow the obtention of optimal yield and purity values. Partition experiments provided a compound K P value of 3.12 ± 1.21, reaffirming its preference for the ethanol-rich phase. Besides, green assessment positioned the extraction in classification A with 90.93 of 100 points. Furthermore, analysis at different laboratory scales (1×, 10×, and 100×) demonstrated scalability and robustness. Finally, a complete bioprocess based on the obtained results is suggested as a tool to address the pharmaceutical potential of this molecule sustainably and efficiently.