Abstract: Triterpenoids from the fruiting bodies of Ganoderma lucidum were extracted by supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) and simulated moving bed (SMB) chromatography was then applied to remove impurities from the crude extract. The contents of ganoderic acid A (GAA), ganoderic acid F (GAF) and ganoderol B (GB) were monitored during the process. The extraction conditions were optimized. Using the optimal SMB columns and mobile phases, hydrophilic and lyophilic impurities were effectively removed from the crude extract to increase the total content of triterpenoids. The results showed that the extraction yield of triterpenoids could be substantially improved by adding ethanol as co-solvent. Triterpenoids could be thoroughly extracted in two hours and the crude extract contained 4.50% GAA, 3.39% GAF and 0.29% GB. It was observed that hydrophilic impurities could be effectively removed by SMB separation with 1-1-3/3 column configuration, increasing the contents of GAA, GAF and GB to 19.34%, 15.51%, and 0.74%, respectively. In contrast, lyophilic impurities could be removed by SMB separation with 2/3/3 column configuration, increasing the contents of GAA, GAF and GB to 5.70%, 4.17%, and 0.85%, respectively. Therefore, the removal of hydrophilic impurities from the crude extract should be the main task to increase the content of triterpenoids in the product.

Key words: supercritical fluid, simulated moving bed, triterpenoids, separation and purification