Process for obtaining 10-deacetylbaccatin III

A process for obtaining 10-deacetylbaccatin III from various parts of yew (Taxus sp.) comprising:

• 1) treating ground parts of yew with water to obtain an aqueous suspension,
• 2) separating an aqueous solution containing 10-deacetylbaccatin III from vegetable matter in the aqueous suspension,
• 3) extracting 10-deacetylbaccatin III from the aqueous solution with an organic solvent,
• 4) separating an organic extract containing 10-deacetylbaccatin III from the aqueous phase,
• 5) removing the organic solvent from the organic extract thus separated to obtain a residue,
• 6) selectively crystallizing 10-deacetylbaccatin III from the residue thus obtained in an organic solvent,
• 7) isolating 10-deacetylbaccatin III in purified form.