Bulk inulin has a wide range of applications in many fields such as food and medicine. Inulin and related products have become a considerable industry. Guanjie Biotech is an inulin factory. So how do we extract inulin efficiently? Let's take a look below.
Raw material selection
Inulin is mainly derived from chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) and inulin (Helianthus tuberosus L.). Chicory is a highly adaptable perennial herb. It has a well-developed root system, and its roots contain a large amount of inulin. Inulin, also known as ginger, is a perennial-rooted herb with an underground tuber that is rich in inulin. Guanjie Biotech is a pure inulin powder manufacturer. Our bulk inulin is sourced from chicory and inulin. You can choose the inulin raw material you want.
Inulin Extraction Method
Guanjie Biotech uses the hot water extraction method. This is the most commonly used inulin extraction method. Using the good solubility of inulin in hot water, the inulin is dissolved from the raw material (chicory root or inulin tuber, etc.). Put the pre-treated chicory or inulin raw material into the extraction tank and add an appropriate amount of water. The amount of water is usually 5 - 10 times the weight of the raw material. Extraction temperature is usually controlled at 70 - 80 ℃, in this temperature range, the solubility of inulin bulk powder is higher and can reduce the dissolution of impurities.
• Raw material placement and solvent addition:
Add hot water according to the material-liquid ratio of 1:5 - 1:10 (w/v) and put the pretreated raw material into the extraction tank. For example, if you have 100 grams of raw material, add 500 - 1000 ml of hot water.
• Temperature control:
The temperature is controlled at 70 - 85°C. In this temperature range, the bulk inulin powder can be effectively dissolved in water. Like at 80℃, inulin dissolves relatively fast. And some protein, starch, and other impurities will be less dissolved.
• Stirring operation:
During the extraction process, stirring is needed to make the raw materials and water fully contact. The stirring speed is generally set at 80 - 120 revolutions per minute to ensure that the inulin is fully dissolved.
• Time control:
The extraction time varies according to the characteristics of the raw material and the size of the particles, usually between 1.5 - 3 hours. For example, when chicory root is thinly sliced, the extraction time can be shortened appropriately. While inulin tuber crushed particles are larger, it is necessary to extend the extraction time appropriately.
• Drying
Drying is the key step to make the concentrated inulin into powder form. We use spray drying. Spray drying is spraying the concentrated inulin solution into a mist with a high-pressure nozzle. The mist droplets evaporate quickly under the action of hot air to form bulk inulin powder. The temperature of the hot air is generally around 150 - 200°C. However, due to the large surface area of the droplets, the temperature of the hot air is not very high. However, due to the large surface area of the mist droplets, the water evaporates quickly and the inulin particles stay in the hot environment for a short period, so the quality of the inulin will not be affected.
• Testing
As a high-quality inulin manufacturer, Guanjie Biotech conducts strict quality tests on the bulk inulin we produce. Firstly, for the purity test, we will use High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) to test the content of inulin to make sure the purity of inulin meets the product standard. At the same time, we will also test the content of impurities in the inulin. Such as heavy metal content, pesticide residues, etc. Heavy metal content must comply with relevant national and international standards. Such as lead, mercury and other heavy metal content should be controlled at a very low level. Pesticide residue testing is to ensure that the pesticides used in the cultivation of raw materials comply with safety standards and do not cause harm to human health. In addition, microbiological indicators of inulin will be tested. Such as total bacteria, mold, and yeast counts.
• Packaging
Inulin that has passed the quality test needs to be packaged, and Guanjie Biotech uses aluminum foil pouches to package it. Guanjie Biotech uses aluminum foil pouches, which can effectively prevent the inulin from moisture, oxidation, and microbiological contamination. We can provide customized packaging requirements.
Hot water extraction method factors:
• Temperature
Temperature is a crucial factor in the hot water extraction method. The solubility of inulin varies at different temperatures. Generally speaking, in the range of 70 - 85°C, pure inulin powder can be dissolved in water better.
• Material-liquid ratio
The material-liquid ratio is the ratio of raw material to hot water, usually in the range of 1:5 - 1:10 (w/v). A suitable material-liquid ratio can ensure that the bulk inulin can be fully dissolved in water.
• Stirring speed
Stirring plays a role in the hot water extraction process to make the raw materials and water fully contact. The stirring speed is usually set at 80 - 120 rpm. Appropriate stirring speed can speed up the dissolution of inulin and improve the extraction efficiency.
• Extraction time
The extraction time depends on the characteristics of the raw materials and the size of the particles. Generally 1.5 - 3 hours. For chicory root thin slices or chicory tuber crushed particles that are small, the extraction time can be appropriately shortened. Conversely, it should be prolonged.
Advantages:
•Simple process
The hot water extraction method is one of the more traditional and basic extraction methods. It has a relatively straightforward process. It mainly involves placing the raw material into the extraction tank, adding hot water, and simply controlling parameters such as temperature, stirring speed, and extraction time. This simple process is easy to understand and master.
•High safety
Hot water is a safe, non-toxic, and non-polluting extraction solvent. During the extraction process, no new chemicals will be introduced and no harmful chemical reactions will occur. Bulk inulin powder products extracted in this way are relatively pure and free from potential safety hazards brought about by extraction solvents, which meets the stringent requirements for raw material safety in the food and healthcare industries.
Guanjie Biotech is a bulk inulin supplier. As one of the bulk inulin powder manufacturers, we provide high-quality inulin. Our products are certified by HACCP, Kosher, HALAL, and ISO 90001. If you need to add bulk inulin powder to your product, please feel free to contact us at info@gybiotech.com. The production process of inulin involves many steps, from the selection of raw materials to the final packaging, each of which requires strict quality control to ensure the production of high-quality inulin that meets the market demand.
