the efficient retrieval of glycyrrhizic acid from licorice root utilizing the subcritical water extraction technique

Utilizing inappropriate techniques for the extraction of glycyrrhizic acid results in sharp energy consumption, reduces extraction yield, escalates extraction costs, has adverse impacts on the environment, and possibly provides unsuitable human health disorders due to the usage of chemical solvents for an inappropriate extraction process. introduce a novel hydrothermal extraction method for the isolation of glycyrrhizic acid, an important compound in the pharmaceutical and food industries. the proposed technique is intended to enhance energy efficiency and increase yield, while prioritizing human health and safety. subcritical water methods, along with high-performance liquid chromatography (hplc), were used to extract glycyrrhizic acid from licorice root. in addition, experimental modeling was established through response surface methodology. the independent variables, including temperature, pressure, and time, were systematically varied within the ranges of 150-370°c, 0.5-30 mpa, and 15-45 min, respectively. the optimal extraction yield of glycyrrhizic acid reached 59.81 mg/g when the temperature, pressure, and processing time were 200°c, 0.5 mpa, and 30 min. these findings showed that at constant pressure, an increase in extraction temperature generated a higher yield of glycyrrhizic acid from the licorice root. furthermore, the combined effects of extraction temperature, pressure, and operation time, with extraction time, exhibited a saddle curve pattern on production, indicating a peak extraction rate  at 30 min, at temperatures exceeding 200°c and a pressure of 2.5 mpa, the extraction of glycyrrhizic acid became minimal. conclusion: the new technique of subcritical hydrothermal showed its good potential to extract glycyrrhizic acid from licorice root efficiently and in a relatively short time. furthermore, it is a great possibility to separate various bio-actives from the raw herbs and food with high productivity.