Journal of Chromatography B, 800 (2004) 181–187 Influence of the extraction mode on the yield of some furanocoumarins from Pastinaca sativa fruits Monika Waksmundzka-Hajnos a,∗ , Anna Petruczynik a , Anna Dragan a , Dorota Wianowska b , Andrzej L. Dawidowicz b , Ireneusz Sowa a a Department of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, Medical University, Staszica 6, 20-081 Lublin, Poland b Department of Chemical Physics and Physicochemical Separation Methods, Faculty of Chemistry, Maria Curie-Sklodowska University, Pl. MC Sklodowskiej 3, 20-031 Lublin, Poland Abstract Analysis of plant material is an important task in chemotaxonomical investigations, in search of plants with pharmacological activity or in standardisation of plant drugs. The choice of optimal conditions for the analysis of plant material and effect of extraction method on the yield of furanocoumarins from Pastinaca sativa fruits were examined. The following extraction methods were used in experiments: exhaustive extraction in Soxhlet apparatus, ultrasonification (USAE) at 25 and 60 ◦ C, microwave-assisted solvent extraction in open and closed system (MASE) and accelerated solvent extraction (ASE). In most cases, the yield of furanocoumarins was highest by use of ASE method as well as by ultrasonification at 60 ◦ C. © 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. Keywords: Solid–liquid extraction; Microwave-assisted solvent extraction; Accelerated solvent extraction; Ultrasonification; Furanocoumarins 1. Introduction In research of the content of pharmacologically active compounds in medicinal plants, the routine procedure of extraction from plant tissues is usually applied. The extrac- tion from plant material is frequently carried out by means of “classic” solvent-based procedures, in Soxhlet appara- tus or more simply in laboratory flask at the temperature of solvent’s boiling under reflux [1,2]. The imperfection of these time- and solvent-consuming methods consists of poor penetration of the tissues by the solvent and also possi- ble destruction of the thermolabile compounds. Advantages of conventional extraction methods result from the basic equipment, inexpensive and simple to operate. In Soxhlet extraction, the sample is repeatedly contacted with the fresh portions of the solvent in relatively high temperature and no filtration is required after the leaching step [1,3]. Recently, modern alternative extraction methods, ap- plied in environmental analysis and in phytochemistry, are sometimes reported: (1) ultrasonification (USAE) (macer- ∗ Corresponding author. Tel.: +48-81-5320413; fax: +48-81-5328903. E-mail address: mwaks@panaceum.am.lublin.pl (M. Waksmundzka-Hajnos). ation in ultrasonic bath at various temperatures) [2–4]; (2) microwave-assisted solvent extraction in closed and open systems (MASE) [2,3]; (3) accelerated solvent extraction (ASE) [2,3,5–7]; and (4) supercritical fluid extraction [2]. The above methods give better penetration of solvents into plant tissues or other solid matrix, are rapid, and solvent saving. ASE apart from this advantage is dynamic, fast and also enables automatization of extraction and analysis procedures. Our recent investigations [8] indicate the highest yield of furanocoumarins from Archangelica officinalis fruits by ASE, using methanol or petroleum ether as the extractant, in comparison to the other leaching methods applied in this target. The dependence of the extraction yield on the extrac- tion conditions and polarity of analyte was ascertained. It was also reported that microwave-assisted solvent extraction in closed system probably caused the change of analytes. The aim of the work was the investigation of yields of extraction of coumarins from Pastinaca sativa fruits, by different methods, to verify our previous conclusions. P. sativa roots and fruits were used in medicine as diuretics and sudorifics. P. sativa has also nutrimental valuations and has been used as vegetable. P. sativa is a rich source of coumarins. Due to their biological activities, coumarins, e.g. furanocoumarins are very interesting compounds and 1570-0232/$ – see front matter © 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. doi:10.1016/j.jchromb.2003.07.006