Parameter Optimization Considering the Variations Both from Materials and Process: A Case Study of <i>Scutellaria baicalensis</i> Extract

The Quality by Design (QbD) concept has been widely applied to the optimization of traditional Chinese medicine production processes recently. This work focused on optimizing the critical purification process of <i>Scutellaria baicalensis</i> extract used in the preparation of Zhusheyong...

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Main Authors: Xuecan Zhang, Zhilong Tang, Bo Chen, Xingchu Gong
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-06-01
Series:Separations
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2297-8739/12/6/165
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author Xuecan Zhang
Zhilong Tang
Bo Chen
Xingchu Gong
author_facet Xuecan Zhang
Zhilong Tang
Bo Chen
Xingchu Gong
author_sort Xuecan Zhang
collection DOAJ
description The Quality by Design (QbD) concept has been widely applied to the optimization of traditional Chinese medicine production processes recently. This work focused on optimizing the critical purification process of <i>Scutellaria baicalensis</i> extract used in the preparation of Zhusheyong Shuanghuanglian. Considering the impact of noise parameters and changes in herbal properties, an experimental design method was employed for optimization. Multiple batches of <i>Scutellaria baicalensis</i> decoction were prepared in this research, and quantitative models of <i>Scutellaria baicalensis</i> herbal properties, critical process parameters (CPPs), and process evaluation indicators were established. The <i>R</i><sup>2</sup> of the quantitative models were all higher than 0.80. According to the model, the yield of baicalin was identified as a critical material property (CMA). The pH of first acid precipitation (X<sub>1</sub>), first temperature holding time (X<sub>2</sub>), pH of alkalization (X<sub>3</sub>), ethanol amount (X<sub>4</sub>), and end pH of ethanol washing (X<sub>5</sub>) were CPPs. Considering the difficulty in controlling the end pH of the ethanol washing, it was considered to be a noise parameter. The Monte Carlo probability-based method was used to calculate the design space, determining the range of controllable parameters, which was successfully validated through experiments. Normal operation ranges for controllable parameters are recommended as follows: X<sub>1</sub> of 0.8–2.2, X<sub>2</sub> of 25–35 min, X<sub>3</sub> of 6.5–7.5, and X<sub>4</sub> of 0.8–1.2 g/g.
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spelling doaj-art-e8cc76f88cb044c3a874df010877b4d92025-08-20T03:27:26ZengMDPI AGSeparations2297-87392025-06-0112616510.3390/separations12060165Parameter Optimization Considering the Variations Both from Materials and Process: A Case Study of <i>Scutellaria baicalensis</i> ExtractXuecan Zhang0Zhilong Tang1Bo Chen2Xingchu Gong3Pharmaceutical Informatics Institute, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, ChinaPharmaceutical Informatics Institute, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, ChinaPharmaceutical Informatics Institute, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, ChinaPharmaceutical Informatics Institute, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, ChinaThe Quality by Design (QbD) concept has been widely applied to the optimization of traditional Chinese medicine production processes recently. This work focused on optimizing the critical purification process of <i>Scutellaria baicalensis</i> extract used in the preparation of Zhusheyong Shuanghuanglian. Considering the impact of noise parameters and changes in herbal properties, an experimental design method was employed for optimization. Multiple batches of <i>Scutellaria baicalensis</i> decoction were prepared in this research, and quantitative models of <i>Scutellaria baicalensis</i> herbal properties, critical process parameters (CPPs), and process evaluation indicators were established. The <i>R</i><sup>2</sup> of the quantitative models were all higher than 0.80. According to the model, the yield of baicalin was identified as a critical material property (CMA). The pH of first acid precipitation (X<sub>1</sub>), first temperature holding time (X<sub>2</sub>), pH of alkalization (X<sub>3</sub>), ethanol amount (X<sub>4</sub>), and end pH of ethanol washing (X<sub>5</sub>) were CPPs. Considering the difficulty in controlling the end pH of the ethanol washing, it was considered to be a noise parameter. The Monte Carlo probability-based method was used to calculate the design space, determining the range of controllable parameters, which was successfully validated through experiments. Normal operation ranges for controllable parameters are recommended as follows: X<sub>1</sub> of 0.8–2.2, X<sub>2</sub> of 25–35 min, X<sub>3</sub> of 6.5–7.5, and X<sub>4</sub> of 0.8–1.2 g/g.https://www.mdpi.com/2297-8739/12/6/165Zhusheyong Shuanghuanglian<i>Scutellaria baicalensis</i> extractprocess parameter optimizationdesign space
spellingShingle Xuecan Zhang
Zhilong Tang
Bo Chen
Xingchu Gong
Parameter Optimization Considering the Variations Both from Materials and Process: A Case Study of <i>Scutellaria baicalensis</i> Extract
Separations
Zhusheyong Shuanghuanglian
<i>Scutellaria baicalensis</i> extract
process parameter optimization
design space
title Parameter Optimization Considering the Variations Both from Materials and Process: A Case Study of <i>Scutellaria baicalensis</i> Extract
title_full Parameter Optimization Considering the Variations Both from Materials and Process: A Case Study of <i>Scutellaria baicalensis</i> Extract
title_fullStr Parameter Optimization Considering the Variations Both from Materials and Process: A Case Study of <i>Scutellaria baicalensis</i> Extract
title_full_unstemmed Parameter Optimization Considering the Variations Both from Materials and Process: A Case Study of <i>Scutellaria baicalensis</i> Extract
title_short Parameter Optimization Considering the Variations Both from Materials and Process: A Case Study of <i>Scutellaria baicalensis</i> Extract
title_sort parameter optimization considering the variations both from materials and process a case study of i scutellaria baicalensis i extract
topic Zhusheyong Shuanghuanglian
<i>Scutellaria baicalensis</i> extract
process parameter optimization
design space
url https://www.mdpi.com/2297-8739/12/6/165
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AT bochen parameteroptimizationconsideringthevariationsbothfrommaterialsandprocessacasestudyofiscutellariabaicalensisiextract
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