In China, modern bulk plant extract technology started in the 1970s. Initially only as a part of drug production. Until the 1990s, with the rise of foreign trade, plant extract industry is 'another gateway'. It is gradually using enzymatic extraction, ultrasonic extraction, supercritical extraction and other more efficient means of extraction.
Microwave-assisted extraction
Microwave-assisted extraction is a method of selective extraction of target components in materials by using the characteristics of microwave heating. It can effectively heat the target components by adjusting the parameters of microwave. This facilitates the extraction and separation of the target components. The principle of plant extraction by microwave-assisted extraction method is that the plant sample absorbs a large amount of energy in the microwave field. The surrounding solvent, on the other hand, absorbs less, thus generating thermal stress inside the cells. The plant cells rupture as a result of the thermal stress generated inside, bringing the material inside the cells into direct contact with the relatively cold extraction solvent. This bulk plant extract microwave-assisted extraction accelerates the transfer of the target product from the inside of the cell to the extraction solvent, thus enhancing the extraction process.
Microwave ultrasonic synergistic extraction method
Microwave is a non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation. It is radiated by the polar molecules of the substance in the microwave electromagnetic field rapid steering and directional arrangement. As a result, tearing and mutual friction are generated causing heat generation. This ensures the rapid transfer and full utilization of energy. It has the advantages of energy saving and no industrial pollution. However, the penetration depth of the microwave is limited (its wavelength is in the same order of magnitude). And it is in the process of strengthening the extraction of bulk plant extract transfer function is not obvious. Ultrasound is a high-frequency mechanical wave. It has a turbulence effect perturbation effect interface effect and aggregation effect and so on. However, the thermal effect produced by ultrasonic waves is not obvious and is limited to a tiny area around the cavitation bubble. Combining them both, the synergistic effect is conducive to the release of wall-breaking components and so on.
Supercritical Fluid Extraction
The principle of supercritical fluid extraction method is to use the unique solubility of supercritical fluid, and the solubility of substances in the supercritical fluid is very sensitive to changes in pressure and temperature. Through the means of temperature and pressure reduction (or both) to separate the supercritical fluid dissolved substances to achieve the purpose of separation and purification. It has both distillation and extraction functions. This has the advantages of active ingredients are not easy to inactivate, high product quality, extraction and separation process is completed simultaneously. This is considered to be a green and environmentally friendly high-tech separation technology. This bulk plant extract method is especially suitable for the separation and refining of unstable natural products and physiological active substances.
Taking supercritical carbon dioxide extraction technology as an example, it can effectively maintain the activity and stability of heat-sensitive substances and improve the extraction efficiency. As there is no need to add organic solvents, it further ensures that the raw materials are green and safe. For example, turmeric root extract uses the dual extraction technology of supercritical carbon dioxide + molecular distillation, which increases the concentration of the active ingredient to approximately 65 percent.
Zeta Fraction Extraction Technology
This extraction technology is exclusively patented by Ashland. It is claimed to be able to extract the complete active ingredient from the fresh plant. Targeted separation is achieved through magnetron pulse conditioning, and the entire extraction process is carried out without the addition of chemicals or water as a solvent. It is understood that this extraction technology first came from Johnson & Johnson, who developed a purified chamomile extract. Through the extraction technology, the main allergens in the chamomile extract - chamomile lactone separation. The result is a pure, non-allergenic chamomile extract.
Enzyme extraction method
The cell wall of natural plants consists of cellulose. The active ingredients of these plants are often encapsulated within the cell wall. The enzyme extraction method involves the use of cellulases pectinases proteases etc. This bulk plant extract method will destroy the cell wall of the plant, to promote the active ingredients of the plant to a greater extent to dissolve the separation of a method. In the extraction process of enzyme extraction method, the choice of enzyme, enzyme concentration, pH value, enzyme digestion temperature, enzyme digestion time will affect the extraction rate of plant extracts.
Plant small molecule RNA extraction technology
Plants can adapt to special survival environmental stresses thanks to the support of epigenetic regulation. Small molecule RNAs (ribonucleotides) play a key role in this by contributing to the activation of certain genes. However, it does not modify the sequence of the genetic code of DNA.
Thousands of plant RNA extraction protocols have been published. Most are based on the following three methods:
◆ Phenol method:
It is mainly used for plants with high concentrations of secondary metabolites.
◆ Trizol method:
Trizol has been used to extract RNA from specific tissues (e.g. Arabidopsis seeds).
◆ CTAB method:
Cetyltrimethylammonium bromide or CTAB-based methods have been used to extract plant samples with high levels of polysaccharides, secondary products, or high levels of RNase.
Organic solvent extraction:
The other bulk plant extract method is organic solvents. The solvents are including ethanol, methanol, acetone, and ethyl acetate are used to dissolve the active ingredients in the plant. It is then extracted through steps such as filtration and evaporation. It is suitable for extracting heat-sensitive and water-insoluble ingredients.
Water extraction:
Using water as a solvent, the plant components are extracted by boiling, soaking and other methods. Suitable for the extraction of water-soluble ingredients.
Guanjie Biotech has specialized in bulk plant extract for many years. We provide you high-quality products, welcome to enquiry us at info@gybiotech.com.
