METHODS FOR BETULIN PURIFICATION: A REVIEW
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.53002/168Ключевые слова:
betulin; Betula spp.; birch bark; pentacyclic triterpenoids; isolation; purification; solvent extraction; recrystallization.Аннотация
Betulin, a pentacyclic triterpenoid abundant in the outer bark of Betula species, represents a valuable natural compound for pharmaceutical, biomedical, and cosmetic applications. Its further utilization, however, requires reliable technologies capable of providing material with a consistently high level of purity. This review examines current strategies for recovering and purifying betulin from birch bark, with emphasis on the relationship between physicochemical properties of the compound and the efficiency of individual separation processes. Solvent-based extraction, recrystallization, chromatographic procedures, and alternative purification techniques are discussed with consideration of solvent polarity, temperature-dependent solubility, hydrogen-bonding interactions, and crystalline solvate formation. Reported experimental procedures and patented technologies are evaluated with respect to product purity, solvent requirements, operational complexity, recovery efficiency, and prospects for technological scale-up. Methods employed for structural identification and purity control, particularly high-performance liquid chromatography and spectroscopic techniques, are also reviewed. Analysis of the published data indicates that recrystallization remains a practical route for obtaining highly purified betulin, although its effectiveness strongly depends on appropriate solvent selection and careful control of processing conditions. Differences in the composition of birch bark associated with species and geographical origin are additionally considered, with particular interest in less extensively investigated taxa such as Betula kirghisorum. The development of more selective, resource-efficient, and environmentally sustainable extraction and purification processes is expected to improve the production of high-purity betulin from renewable birch resources and expand opportunities for its subsequent chemical modification and practical application.
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