Extraction and purification of enriched glycyrrhizin extract

Glycyrrhizin is the most important active ingredient of the licorice root plant. This thesis is on the development of a method for the extraction and purification of glycyrrhizin. In this context, an extraction method was determined for the extracts obtained from the licorice root plant and the fractions were separated by flash chromatography after sequential purification steps. It has been determined that the most effective values in licorice root extractions are in alcohol/water mixtures. Preferably are ethanol and methanol. Glycyrrhizin was obtained in the form of ammonium salt by applying the extraction processes, respectively, the adsorbent application and the precipitation in acidic-basic medium. Purification steps were carried out using flash chromatography, and enriched glycyrrhizin ammonium salt was obtained. The structure of the obtained glycyrrhizin ammonium salt (ammonium glycyrrhizate) was determined by LC-MS-MS, HPLC, and NMR analyses. In addition, cytotoxicity studies of glycyrrhizin ammonium salt were performed and compared with the commercial standard. It was determined that the obtained product didn't indicate toxicity.