Enrichment of Kaempferol‐3‐ <i>O</i> ‐Sophoroside From Saffron Petals Using Macroporous Resin: Static Adsorption Characteristics and Dynamic Optimization Based on Analytical Hierarchy Process—Entropy Weight Method—Response Surface Methodology

An efficient strategy was developed for the enrichment of kaempferol-3-O-sophoroside from saffron petal extract. The macroporous resin of XAD-1600N was selected due to its highest adsorption and desorption capacities for kaempferol-3-O-sophoroside. Static adsorption characteristics and dynamic enrichment parameters of this resin were systematically investigated through scientific experiments and analysis. The adsorption characteristics were found to be in good agreement with the pseudo-second-order model, as well as the Freundlich and Langmuir models. The thermodynamics analysis exhibited that this adsorption process was a spontaneous exothermic reaction. Furthermore, the dynamic enrichment for kaempferol-3-O-sophoroside was optimized using a combination of analytical hierarchy process-entropy weight method-response surface methodology, and the comprehensive scores based on desorption rate, recovery rate, and purity. The recommended operation parameters included sample loading rates (2.3-3.7 BV/h), ethanol concentrations (49%-69%), and elution flow rates (1-3 BV/h). After the enrichment process, the purity of kaempferol-3-O-sophoroside from saffron petals extract increased over fivefold after enrichment with acceptable recovery. It is anticipated that this study will contribute to the large-scale development and utilization of kaempferol-3-O-sophoroside from the saffron petals, thereby providing a theoretical basis for natural products enrichment.