Abstract:

Organic solvent extraction technique was employed to extract pigment from wild grown Parthenocissus heterophylla (Bl.) Merr. Single factor method combined with orthogonal array design was used to analyze the effects of four crucial parameters (namely material/liquid ratio, temperature, extraction time and extraction solvent type) on Parthenocissus heterophylla (Bl.) Merr pigment extraction. Subsequently, the extracted pigment was spray dried and tested for physiochemical properties and meanwhile, its stability was also evaluated. Results showed that the yield of the pigment (expressed as the absorbance at 512 nm) was affected significantly by extraction temperature and material/liquid ratio, whereas extraction solvent type and extraction time had no significant effects. Red Parthenocissus heterophylla (Bl.) Merr pigment powder was obtained after spray drying. Lower contents of harmful heavy metal elements were observed in the pigment, which exhibited poor pH stability and was soluble in water, acidic ethanol and methanol but not soluble in chloroform and ethyl acetate. The thermal stability of the pigment at acidic pH was stronger than at neutral or alkaline pH. Hyperchromic effects of Mg2+, Ca2+, Cu2+, VC, sodium benzoate and potassium sorbate were observed, while the color of the pigment was changed with the existence of Fe2+, and the existence of Na+ exhibited no effect on the color of the pigment.

Key words: Parthenocissus heterophylla (Bl.) Merr, pigment, extraction, physiochemical quality