Process of extraction and purification of high content phytosterol from corn silk

The extraction and purification process of phytosterol were studied from corn silk by saponification. The highest extraction yield of 10.5886 mg / g total phytosterol was acquired by the ultrasonic assisted method. The optimal extraction conditions were determined by single factor and orthogonal test as follows: 220 W ultrasonic power,55 min extraction time,ultrasonic temperature 35 ℃,and 12∶ 1 ratio of liquld- material( m L / g).Phytosterol crystal was achieved with ethyl acetate as solvent after being extracted by chloroform.The purity of the crude phytosterols was 92.76% with 47.5% ± 0.24% β- sitosterol and 36.7% ± 0.13% campesterol,respectively after recrystallation by methanol.