Optimization of extracting stachyose from Stachys floridana Schuttl. ex Benth by response surface methodology

Stachys floridana schuttl. E x benth, also named yinmiao, is a special and traditional Chinese vegetable that is usually used by some diabetes patients as a pharmaceutical plant for its high content of stachyose. Due to the lower cost and higher economic reward, Stachys floridana schuttl. Ex benth is a potentially new source to extract stachyose in the medicine and food industry. Here we optimized the extraction of stachyose from Stachys floridana schuttl. Ex benth by response surface methodology, the yeild can reach as high as up to 47.0% of stachyose at temperature of 60 °C, extraction time of 40 min, ethanol volume of 60% and ratio of solid–liquid at 1:10. Our primary result holds great promising for Stachys floridana schuttl. Ex bent extracting industry as well as diabetic medicine.