Isolation of Bioactive Pentacyclic Triterpenoid Acids from Olive Tree Leaves with Flash Chromatography

Featured Application Extraction and selective isolation and purification of oleanolic and maslinic acids from olive leaves. The present study reports on the use of the flash chromatography for the isolation and purification of oleanolic and maslinic acids from olive leaf extracts. Although the separation and identification of these acids is considered challenging due to the similarity in their structure, oleanolic and maslinic acids were detected, identified, and separated. Solubility prediction was used to help to match compatibility of extraction solvent with targeted triterpenoid acids. Aqueous washing was used, to first selectively remove unwanted interferents from the extraction solvent. The extracts obtained with different solvents and solvent mixtures were fractionated using flash chromatography and then analyzed. HPTLC chromatography was used to assess collected fractions as either semi-pure or pure, and to identify the fractions containing oleanolic and maslinic acids. The yields of oleanolic and maslinic acids reported here are significantly higher than yields obtained in previously reported isolations. The presence and purity of oleanolic and maslinic acid in collected fractions was confirmed by ATR-FTIR and NMR spectrometry.

Automated summary

This study successfully isolated and purified oleanolic and maslinic acids from olive leaves using flash chromatography. Solubility prediction and aqueous washing were used to improve the efficiency of separation and purification. The yields of oleanolic and maslinic acids obtained in this study were higher than previously reported, and their presence and purity were confirmed by ATR-FTIR and NMR spectrometry.