Desalinization of Aqueous extract of Acanthus Ebracteatus VAHL. By Nanofiltration

The aqueous extract of Acanthus ebracteatus Vahl was found to have high content of salts in solid weight (about 14% w/w of sodium chloride), so the desalinization of aqueous extract of A. ebracteatus Vahl. Is required before the utilization of this plant as herbal medicine or supplement. The nanofiltration membrane NTR 7450 was chosen for the desalinization process. The results show that the optimal condition is at flow velocity of 0.875 m/min and applied pressure of 10 kg/cm2. The mathematical models based on Steric-Hindrance Pore (SHP) model and Teorell-Meyer-Sievers (TMS) model seem to well agree at high flow velocity due to less fouling effect at high shear rate. The application of diafiltration process comprised 1.5 concentration step followed by 2 times diafiltration allowed 80% salt removal. In addition, the used of diafiltrion enhanced the permeate flux due to the reducing of membrane fouling by adding fresh water. The mathematical model for diafiltration step was found to be excellent to the experiment. The aqueous extract of A. ebracteatus Vahl. After the desalinization shows better cytotoxicity against both of KB (human epidermoid carcinoma) and HeLa (human cervical carcinoma) cell lines compared with the initial extract with IC50 values of 3200 and 3500 ug/ml, respectively.