Process synthesis and optimization for the isolation and purification of paclitaxel from Taxus chinensis

Cavitation extraction, water/hexane washing, and cavitation precipitation-based process synthesis and optimization were performed for the isolation and purification of biomass-derived paclitaxel. The final purity, overall yield, and operating time were significantly improved when negative pressure cavitation extraction was followed by sequential washing with water and hexane, adsorbent treatment, and negative pressure cavitation fractional precipitation using acetone-pentane and methanol-water. This procedure showed a purity and yield increase of 11.0–45.6% and 2.2–29.6%, respectively, and an operating time reduction of 56.2–98.3% compared to the traditional methods.