Optimization of micellar extraction for the pre-purification of paclitaxel from<Emphasis Type="Italic">Taxus chinensis</Emphasis>

Currently, there are many reports in the literature regarding technological methods for paclitaxel purification. However, there have been few reports on the purification of paclitaxel using a micellar system. This method is based on the transfer of paclitaxel within the crude extract to an aqueous surfactant solution as a micelle, allowing the use of organic solvents to be used for the removal of lipids and non-polar impurities. In this study, we optimized the important process parameters of micellar extraction to obtain a high purity and yield of paclitaxel in a pre-purification step. The optimal surfactant (N-cetylpyridinium chloride, CPC) concentration, initial crude paclitaxel concentration, organic solvents (methylt-butyl ether/hexane) ratio, extraction temperature, and extraction time were 7.5% (w/v), 16.4 mg/mL, 1.5/1 (v/v), 25°C, and 30 min, respectively. The crude extracts from the liquid-liquid extracts were efficiently pre-purified by micellar extraction, increasing in purity from 6% to over 21%, with a yield of 92%. Overall, the use of micellar extraction in the pre-purification process allowed for rapid and efficient separation of paclitaxel from interfering compounds, and dramatically increased the yield and purity of the crucle paclitael for subsequent purification steps.