The invention discloses a process for extracting diosgenine from turmeric by a
catalytic hydrolysis method, which comprises the following steps of: crushing a turmeric
raw material subjected to
cellulose and
starch removal to prepare a refined
raw material; adding 0.02 to 0.02mol / L
aqueous solution of catalyst into the refined
raw material, heating and pressurizing to perform
catalytic hydrolysis, and obtaining
hydrolysis products, wherein the catalyst is one of
transition metal salt, bipyridyl chelate of the
transition metal salt, and tri(2-picolyl) amine complex of the
transition metal salt, or a mixture of the transition
metal salt and the bipyridyl chelate of the transition
metal salt, or a mixture of the transition
metal salt and the tri(2-picolyl) amine complex of the transition metal salt; and finally, dissolving the
hydrolysis products with an
organic solvent, extracting and crystallizing to obtain the diosgenine. The diosgenine is extracted from the turmeric by the
catalytic hydrolysis method, the generation of a great deal of acid
wastewater is avoided, and the environment is protected. Moreover, the catalyst in the process is a common compound, the
process conditions are easily met, and the process can be promoted and applied.