Effect of ethanol concentration on the efficiency of extraction of ginseng saponins when using a microwave-assisted process (MAP™)

Summary This research determined the effect of ethanol concentration (vol.%) on the extraction of saponins from ginseng using a microwave-assisted process (MAPTM) at different powers under atmospheric pressure conditions. The optimized particle size of ginseng roots and mass-to-solvent volume ratio were 60 mesh and 1 : 10 (g mL−1), respectively. The yields of total solids and crude saponins were influenced by ethanol concentration, with the highest value at 45–60% for the former and 60–75% for the latter, at microwave power levels of 88 and 162 W. Their respective yield per unit time (60 s) was higher at 162 W than at 88 W; however, the extraction efficiency was lower for the former than for the latter. Extraction properties of ginsenosides were similar to those of crude saponins. The results show that the ethanol concentration was influential in MAP extraction of ginseng saponins and that total imparted energy and level of applied power should be considered in terms of extraction efficiency.