Screening of extraction conditions by Plackett–Burman design for extraction of Cordyceps militaris Cordycipitaceae

Cordyceps is the product of a fungal genus that develops on the larvae of insects. Cordycepin, namely 3’–deoxyadenosine, the most significant adenosine counterpart of other Cordyceps, has demonstrated numerous and excellent pharmacological activities such as antioxidant, anti-cancer, and antimicrobial. In this research, Plackett – Burman method was used to test six extraction parameters, including time (30-120 minutes), the concentration of solvent (40%-70%), temperature (30°C-85°C), number of extraction (1-3 times), solvent to material ratio (40-200 ml/g) and pH (4-7) for the extraction of Cordyceps militaris in Kom Tum Province, Vietnam. Base on Plackett–Burman design, the results illustrated that the time (coefficient = - 3.87), temperature (coefficient =-5.32) and solvent ratio to the substance (coefficient = 4.37) were the most important variables influencing Cordycepin extraction. This study identified significant main factors, including time, temperature, and solvent, that could be considered for the next stage of the optimization technique using response surface methodology.