# Enrichment of Alkaloids from Cinnamomum camphora Seed Kernels Using Macroporous Resin: Adsorption/Desorption Behavior, Process Optimization and Scale-Up Study

## TL;DR

This study develops an efficient method to enrich alkaloids from Cinnamomum camphora seed kernels using macroporous resin, achieving high recovery and scalability.

## Contribution

The study introduces an optimized and scalable macroporous resin-based process for recovering bioactive alkaloids from Cinnamomum camphora seed kernels.

## Key findings

- XR918C resin was identified as the optimal adsorbent for CCSK alkaloids with high adsorption/desorption capacity.
- The enrichment process achieved a 4.41-fold increase in alkaloid content with 89.19% recovery after scale-up.
- CCSK alkaloids showed strong in vitro antioxidant activity.

## Abstract

The Cinnamomum camphora seed kernel (CCSK) shows great promise as a natural source of bioactive alkaloids. However, there is little data about recovering alkaloids from CCSK by-products after oil extraction using an aqueous method. This study aimed to establish an efficient technology for enriching CCSK alkaloids (including magnoflorine, lindoldhamine and N,N-methyldomesticinium) using macroporous resin technology. The results showed that XR918C resin was the most suitable adsorbent due to its high adsorption/desorption capacity for CCSK alkaloids. The adsorption process was best described by Langmuir isotherm models and pseudo-second-order kinetics; it was spontaneous and physical in nature. The optimum procedure for CCSK alkaloids enrichment using XR918C resin was as follows: for adsorption, the injection flow rate and sample volume were 2.0 BV/h and 7.0 BV, respectively; for desorption, the eluent type, elution flow rate and volume were 80% ethanol, 2.0 BV/h and 6.0 BV, respectively. Furthermore, the scale-up of the CCSK alkaloid enrichment process was performed under optimal conditions. Following the 10-fold scale-up enrichment, the content of CCSK alkaloids was raised 4.41-fold, with a recovery rate of 89.19 ± 0.01%. After nine regeneration cycles, the efficiency of the XR918C resin remained stable, indicating its good reusability. In addition, CCSK alkaloids exhibited strong in vitro antioxidant activity. This study provides a useful reference for the industrial-scale enrichment of CCSK alkaloids.