IJCPE Vol.10 No.3 (September 2009) 

 

 
Iraqi Journal of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering 

Vol.10 No.3 (September 2009) 25-30 
ISSN: 1997-4884 

Extraction of medicinal compounds from botanicals using bulk liquid 
membrane in rotating film contactor: Recovery of vinblastine from 

catharanthus roseus. 

Adil A. Al-Hemiri *, Sawsan A. M. Mohammed*, Raheeq B. Alsaadi 

*
Chemical Engineering Department - College of Engineering - University of Baghdad – Iraq 

Abstract 

The interest of application of liquid membrane (pertraction) processes for recovery of medicinal compounds from dilute 

ammoniacal leach solutions is demonstrated. Selectivity of the liquid membrane ensures a preferential transport of the 

desired solute from the native extract into the strip solution, vinblastine was successfully extracted fro m basic media (pH 

9.2) and stripped by acidic media of sulfuric acid (pH= 1.3) applying continuous pertraction in a rotating discs 

contactor and using n-decane as liquid membrane. Transport of vinblastine in three-liquid-phase system was studied 

and performed by means of a kinetic model involving two consecutive irreversible first-order reactions. The kinetic 

parameters (apparent rate constants of the vinblastine extraction and re-extraction reactions (K1, K2), the maximum 

fraction of the vinblastine in the liquid membrane (XS.Max) and the time when this maximum is reached (TMax)) were 

calculated. Solute transfer into the LM is mainly diffusion-controlled. 

Keywords: Liquid membrane, Pertraction, Extraction, vinblastine, catharanthus roseus

Introduction 

The established idea of a membrane is a thin, semi-

permeable and solid barrier. A liquid membrane (LM) is 

nothing like this. It is a liquid phase, usually organic, 

interposed between two miscible aqueous solutions. At 

one side of the membrane (feed solution) the material to 

be transported is extracted, while at the other side 

(stripping solution) re-extraction occurs. Since in each of 

the aqueous solutions some specific, and different for 

each of them, thermodynamic conditions exist, the 

extraction and re-extraction occur simultaneously. Such 

process is called pertraction i.e., extraction in one side 

and stripping of the extract at the other side 

simultaneously. The liquid membrane extraction was 

introduced as an alternative separation technique to the 

liquid-liquid extraction and to the separation by means of 

solid polymeric membranes [1]. This property of 

membranes makes them useful in the textile and food 

industries, in hydrometallurgy, medicine, biotechno-logy 

environmental protection, in the separation of 

hydrocarbons and gases, and in the concentration and 

separation of amino acids, metal ions and other mixtures 
and suspensions [2]. 

Vinca or Periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus (Linn.) 

G.Don.) is an erect handsome herbaceous perennial 
plant which is a chief source of patented cancer and 

hypotensive drugs. It is one of the very few medicinal 

plants which has a long history of uses as diuretic, 

antidysenteric, haemorrhagic and antiseptic. The dimeric 

indole alkaloids from Catharanthus roseus L, vinblastine 

(Fig. 1) present in the leaves, it is mainly useful for 

treating Hodgkin's disease, lymphocytic lymphoma, 

histiocytic lymphoma, advanced testicular cancer, 

advanced breast cancer, Kaposi's sarcoma, and Letterer-
Siwe disease. These drugs because of extremely low 

yields are among the most expensive in the 

pharmaceutical market. Attempts to improve their yields 

through cell and tissue culture have so far met with 

limited success. Growth and differential stage-dependent 

University of Baghdad 

College of Engineering 
Iraqi Journal of Chemical 

and Petroleum Engineering 

 



Extraction of medicinal compounds from botanicals using bulk liquid membrane in rotating film contactor: Recovery of 

vinblastine from catharanthus roseus. 

26 
IJCPE Vol.10 No.3 (September 2009) 

 

biosynthesis of these alkaloids are still poorly understood 

[3]. 

A new bulk liquid membrane (BLM) process for recovery 

of medicinal compounds from dilute ammoniacal leach 

solutions has been studied in this work. vinblastine 

alkaloids was extracted by means of a rotating film 

pertractor using various organic liquid membranes as 

carrier, A simple kinetic model of the mass transfer of 

solute in BLM is advanced by considering two 

consecutive reactions (extraction–re-extraction of the 

solute) with three diffusion steps in the feed, organic and 
stripping solutions. 

 

 

Fig.1 Chemical Structure of VBL and VBL sulphate. 

 

Experimental Work 

Materials (solvents and aqueous solutions) 

Organic solvents used in this work as liquid membrane, 

n-decane and n-nonane; BDH, n-heptane; 

RIEDEL_DEHAËN and methylcyclohexane; HOPKIN & 

WILLIAMS. Ammonia and sulfuric acid were used as 

donor and accepter solution respectively. The acidity of 

the aqueous solutions was measured using a pH-meter 
(OAKTON pH 2100 series manufactured by EUTECH 

instruments Singapore). 

 

Procedure of pertraction 

Among the large variety of liquid membrane techniques 

[1, 4-12] the pertraction in rotating film contactor (RFC) 

was selected because of its stability. Kinetics of 

vinblastine transport in three-liquid-phase system was 

studied in laboratory RFC, presented schematically in 

Fig. 2. The lower part of the contactor is divided into two 

compartments: One for the feed and the other for the 

stripping solution. The liquid organic membrane covers 

both aqueous solutions and occupies the common upper 

part of the contactor. The hydrophilic disc (1mm thick, 

18cm in diameter) rotates in each compartment. The 

distance between  

   

 
Fig.2, Diagram showing the RF contactor used. 1: 

apparatus body; 2: rotating discs; 3: separating half-walls; 

4, 4': feed inlet and outlet; 5, 5': strip solution inlet and 

outlet; 6: rotating shaft. 

 

Two discs are 15mm. The discs rotation provides a 

formation and continuous renewal of aqueous films of 

solutions F and R on discs surfaces as well as the 

agitation of all three phases. To homogenize the aqueous 

solutions and to eliminate the dead zones or become little 

both liquids were re-circulated by means of two 

peristaltic pumps. 

The velocity of discs rotation was fixed at 10 rpm. 

Experimental procedure 

5.0 grams of fresh leaves were cut into small pieces and 

extracted using buffer solution of (NH3-(NH4)2SO4) at 

pH 9.2. The volumetric flask was shaking for half hour 

using a shaker, filtered and poured into the RFC using 

glass funnel. The acceptor solution was adjusted to pH 

1.3 of sulfuric acid and placed into the second 
compartment, the reminder volume filled with the liquid 

membrane. 

Procedure of equilibrium studies 

The study of vinblastine transport across a liquid 

membrane, and its equilibrium distribution between 

organic and aqueous phases was established using 

laboratory rotating film contactor. 10 mg of vinblastine 

dissolved in 250 ml of buffer solution of (NH3-

(NH4)2SO4) and adjusted to appropriate pH and placed 

in the first compartment. A volume of 250 ml of sulfuric 

acid solution (pH= 1.3) placed into the second 

compartment. 500 ml of            n- nonane covers both 

aqueous solutions.  

Samples were taken from each feed, stripper and the 

organic layer at a certain intervals. 

Analysis of vinblastine 

Vinblastine samples from aqueous solutions and organic 

solvent during the experimental period were analyzed by 

Ultra-Violet /Visible spectrometer (shimadzu 160) (λ= 

276). 

 

 

 



Adel a.al-hemiri, Sawsan A. M. Mohammed and Raheeq B. Alsaadi 

IJCPE Vol.10 No.3 (September 2009) 
 

27 

Results and Discussion 

1.Choice of solvents: extraction of vinblastine by organic 

solvents 

To apply liquid membrane process for vinblastine 

recovery from aqueous media it is necessary to find 

conditions suitable for its extraction by an organic liquid, 

but also conditions favorable for its back extraction into 

the aqueous solution. Preliminary test were carried out to 

find the optimum pH of feed (Donor) solution (best 

diffusion to the liquid membrane), and best pH of 

stripping solution. The results of the extractability 

experiment shown in Fig. 3. As shown there at law pH 
vinblastine protonated (sulphate salt), while for pH above 

9 the results show decrease in the extractability of 

vinblastine. This decrease might be due to that ammonia 

starts to be extracted above pH 9 [13]. The loss of 

ammonia to the organic layer will decrease the basicity of 

feed solution. 

It is to be concluded that the best pH for the feed solution 

(good  

 

Fig. 3, Diffusion of VBL through the liquid membrane 

(n-decane) 

 

extraction around 9, and the best accepter (stripper) 

would be around pH of 1.3. Such results are in agreement 

with that obtained by K.Dimitrov et al [14] and S. K. 

Volkov et al [15]. 
 

2. Solvent extraction of vinblastine by n-decane and other 

organic solvents 

Many organic non-polar solvent are used as liquid 

membrane (viz. n-decane, n-nonane, n-heptane, 

methylcyclohexane). Low molecular weight of the 

organic solvent failed to give reasonable extraction 

efficiency while n-decane (the highest molecular weight 

142.29) gave a good extracting ability as shown in Fig. 4. 

The lowest extracting ability is that of 

methylcyclohexane (Cyclo derivative hydrocarbons) [16]. 

The studied alkanes are suitable for liquid membrane  

 

permeation of vinblastine, providing conditions favorable 

for vinblastine extraction into the organic solvent This 

results are agreement with the results which obtained by 

Krasimir D. et al [8] 

 

 

Fig. 4, Effect of type of membrane on the concentration 

of VBL sulphate (pHa= 1.3, pHb =9.2). 

 

 

Fig. 5, Pertraction study of the discs speed using n-

nonane as LM, pHa =1.3 and pHb =9.2 

 

 

3. Various studies in pertraction 
a) Discs rotation speed 

Pertraction efficiency grows with the increase of discs 

rotation velocity as shown in Fig. 5, due to the better 

agitation of all three phases and the faster renewal of the 

aqueous films .The variation of pertraction efficiency 

with the agitation indicates a diffusion control of the 

process. These results agree with the results obtained by 

K. Dimitrov et al [14] and K. Dimitrov et al [15]. 



Extraction of medicinal compounds from botanicals using bulk liquid membrane in rotating film contactor: Recovery of 

vinblastine from catharanthus roseus. 

28 
IJCPE Vol.10 No.3 (September 2009) 

 

 

Fig. 6, Pertraction study of the discs material using n-

nonane as LM, pHa =1.3 and pHb =9.2 

 

b) Discs material 

In order to choose the proper hydrophilic disc material, 

two types of disc material was prepare; Glass and 

Stainless steel. The results of the pertraction of 

vinblastine using these two types are shown 

diagrammatically in Fig. 6. Stainless steel gives better to 

manipulate than glass which easily damaged [16]. 

4. Pertraction of vinblastine 

A simple kinetic model of the mass transfer of solute in 

BLM can be advanced by considering two consecutive 

reactions (extraction–re-extraction of the vinblastine) 
with three diffusion steps in the feed, organic and 

stripping solutions.  

A comparative study of vinblastine was performed by 
applying this model. To do this, the following kinetic 

parameters were evaluated: the apparent rate constants of 

the solute extraction and re-extraction reactions (k1, k2), 

the maximum reduced concentration of vinblastine in the 

liquid membrane (XSmax), the time of the maximum 

value of XS (Tmax). 

These results suggest that the solute transport conforms to 
two consecutive irreversible first-order reactions 

according to the kinetic scheme: 

  S   
 
  R                      1 

Where,   F:  Solute concentration in feed solution. 

S:  solute concentration in extracting solution. 

R:  solute concentration in stripping solution.  

K1 & K2 the extraction and stripping transfer rate 
coefficient respectively. 

For practical reasons, dimensionless reduced 

concentrations of vinblastine in feed solution XF, liquid 

membrane XS, and the stripping solution XR were used: 

XF =          ; XS =               ; XR =  

The kinetic scheme for consecutive irreversible reactions 
(Eq. 1) can be described by the following rate equations: 

                   = -K1XF                                          (2) 

                  = K1XF – K2XS                               (3) 

                     = K2XS                                          (4)  

Integrating Eqs. 2–4 is easily carried out and R-values are 
obtained when k1≠k2, giving: 

                        XF =                                        (5) 

             XS =  (  - )                        (6) 

       XR =   (K1  –K2 ) + 1           (7) 

At the maximum value of XS, when dXS/dt=0, this 

reduced concentration and TMax can be calculated as 

follows: 

             Tmax =  =                                    (8) 

                Xs max =                             (9) 

From figure 7, Tmax= 109 min, XS.Max= 0.52. 

By substituting these results into Eqns. (8 and 9) and 

using MATLAB program gives: 

K2= 0.006 min-1 

K1 = 0.01331 min-1 

Figure 7 shows the evolution of vinblastine repartition 
between the three liquid phases during a continuous 

pertraction process at constant acidity of the feed solution 

pHb 9.2. The interaction between solute molecules of the 

feed solution and n-nonane occurred at the first interface 

F/S where vinblastine was partially extracted to organic 



Adel a.al-hemiri, Sawsan A. M. Mohammed and Raheeq B. Alsaadi 

IJCPE Vol.10 No.3 (September 2009) 
 

29 

phase. The process beginning is characterized by a sharp 

decrease of vinblastine amount in the feed solution and 

its instantaneous accumulation in the organic liquid 

membrane. Due to the concentration gradient created 

vinblastine molecules extracted in the organic membrane 

phase were transferred to the second interface S/R, where 

the pH of the receiving solution (pHa) was 1.3, therefore, 

vinblastine transferred and accumulated into this solution. 

 

Fig. 7, Time dependencies of XF, XR and XS in the 

transport of VBL sulphate (Liquid Membrane: n-nonane.) 

 

At the end of experimental run, almost of vinblastine was 

accumulated in the receiving solution. 

Conclusions 

When the behavior of vinblastine extraction from 

aqueous media by various organic solvents at equilibrium 

was studied, the Non-polar n-decane was found to be the 

most suitable for vinblastine recovery by pertraction 

process. Best diffusion to the organic layer of feed 

(Donor) solution was achieved by using buffer solution of 

(NH3-(NH4)2SO4) at pH 9.2, and the best stripper 

(accepter) solution by using H2SO4 with pH 1.3. 

Increasing the leaves weight lead to increasing of amount 

of vinblastine in feed solution, at the same time in the 

membrane as well as in the stripping phase. Increasing 

discs rotation velocity, to a certain degree, gives a better 

agitation of all three phases and the faster renewal of the 

aqueous films. 

The hydrophilic discs constructed of stainless steel gave a 

good material for manufacturing the discs with 

advantages of being very hygienic and easy to clean. 

The rate of diffusion constants was performed by means 

of a kinetic model involving two consecutive irreversible 

first-order reactions. K1 and K2 were found to be 
0.01331 and 0.006 min-1. 

 

Nomenclature  

Description 

Concentration. 

Interface between the Donor 

Solution and Organic Membrane. 

Rate Constant of Solute Extraction. 

Rate Constant of Solute re-

Extraction. 

pH of accepter solution. 

pH of donor solution. 

Rotating Film Contactor. 

Revolution per Minute. 
Interface between the Organic 

Membrane and Stripping Solution. 

Time of Maximum Concentration of 

Solute in Organic Layer. 

Vinblastine. 

Dimensionless of Maximum Conc. 

of Solute at Organic Membrane 

Feed Interface. 

Notation 

Conc. 

F/S 

 

K1 

K2 

pHa 

pHb 

RFC 

rpm 

S/R 
 

tMax 

 

VBL 

XSMax 

 

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Extraction of medicinal compounds from botanicals using bulk liquid membrane in rotating film contactor: Recovery of 

vinblastine from catharanthus roseus. 

30 
IJCPE Vol.10 No.3 (September 2009) 

 

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