Cordyceps militaris is a medicinal fungus highly valued in traditional Asian medicine, with cordycepin as its main bioactive compound. The aim of the thesis was to optimize cordycepin extraction from dried powdered C. militaris. For monitoring the efficiency of the extraction, I partially validated an HPLC analytical method for determining cordycepin in extracts. Analytical method has been proven to be reproducible and linear within the working range. I approached the optimization through single-factor experiments. Each parameter was optimized in a separate series of experiments, where the parameter of interest was varied while keeping the other parameters constant. The optimized value of the parameter was then used in further series of experiments. The extraction efficiency was evaluated based on the ratio of extracted cordycepin and the percentage of impurities in the dry extract. I conducted five major groups of experiments, studying the influence certain parameters have on extraction efficiancy: (i) ethanol concentration in the solvent, (ii) different ratios of solvent volume to dry sample mass, (iii) leaching of cordycepin from a sample from which the extract was sequentially removed and fresh solvent added, (iv) pH of the sample-solvent mixture, and (v) percolation at different temperatures, while monitoring the time-dependent concentration of cordycepin in the eluent. First, I conducted batch-wise extraction optimization. The most suitable solvent was found to be 76.8% (V/V) ethanol, and the most suitable ratio of solvent volume to fungus sample mass was 20 mL/g. It was found that the pH of the extraction mixture of solvent and fungus sample did not affect the final extraction efficiency. I also conducted an imitation of industrial extraction in a semi-batch form, whereas the solvent and dried C. militaris would be macerated in an extraction vessel, and then the extract decanted over the sediment and fresh solvent added. I found that with each subsequent addition of the solvent, the concentration in the extract decreases by approximately one order of magnitude. Percolation at 60 °C was found to be the most efficient.
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