Acidic hydrolysis of astilbin and its application for the preparation of taxifolin from Rhizoma Smilacis Glabrae

The acidic hydrolysis of astilbin to produce its aglycone, taxifolin, was investigated in this study. The effects of aq. HCl concentration and temperature on the reaction were studied, and the kinetic parameters were calculated. The results showed that with higher aq. HCl concentration and temperature, the hydrolysis of astilbin became faster. The activation energy of the hydrolysis reaction under 1 mol L-1 aq. HCl was calculated with a value of 148.6 kJ mol(-1). The reaction was successfully applied to produce taxifolin from a sample of Rhizoma Smilacis Glabrae. A simple method for the purification of taxifolin from Rhizoma Smilacis Glabrae was developed with purity of 97.5%.

Automated summary

The study investigated the hydrolysis of astilbin to produce taxifolin, with results showing faster hydrolysis with higher HCl concentration and temperature. The activation energy of the reaction under 1 mol L-1 aq. HCl was calculated at 148.6 kJ mol(-1). The reaction successfully produced taxifolin from Rhizoma Smilacis Glabrae with a simple purification method leading to a purity of 97.5%.