Intro: History of herbal extraction
Herbal Extraction เครื่องสกัดสารสมุนไพร has been a key process in pharmaceutical, cosmetic and increasingly in the food industry for many years. With the advent of newer technology, Supercritical Fluid Extraction (SFE) has been taking over as the optimum method for extracting bioactive compounds from herbs using what is called a SuperCritical Fluid.
Supercritical fluid extraction machines เครื่องสกัดสมุนไพร have really helped to revolutionize the herbal processing industry in many ways and can be put across in many articles. This article tries to explain the process, advantages of SFEs over other methods; the challenges that come with using SFE for herbal extraction; the basic equipment needed and the best way to configure the equipment for each and every extraction process.
What is Supercritical Fluid Extraction?
The process of Supercritical Fluid Extraction or SFE is a technology that separates the target component from herbs with the help of a fluid that the fluid is in a supercritical state. Supercritical fluid is regarded as a physical state (between gas and liquid) of constituents in nature due to the certain pressure and temperature conditions at present. Grasping the top-level technologies of physics, chemistry and molecular biology, when the supercritical fluid passes through the substance, it can directly contact and extract the effective components then transport them to the users through constitution.
Advantages of Supercritical Fluid Extraction for Herbal Processing
The various advantages of supercritical fluid extraction for herbal processing give it an upper edge from other methods of extractions. For instance, it can extract essential oils, lipids, flavor and complex molecules. This can be done in a single stage extraction as opposed to multiple stage extraction making it cost effective and reduces production time.
Supercritical Fluid extraction can be highly selective in extracting only a specific compound, therefore, we anticipate that purity of the product will be much higher.
Factors Affecting Yield and Efficiency in Herbal Extraction
There are many factors that affect yield and efficiency in herbal extraction. We will rely on input from universities and research institutions to explain further; Pressure and temperature of the supercritical fluids, Particle size of herb material used, Extraction duration and finally supercritical fluid flow rate.
Equipment and Setup for Herbal Extraction
Supercritical Fluid Extraction Machines for herbal processing are best sourced from reputed manufacturers equipment. It is very important to know which machine you want with regards to its cost, the required output and best efficiency.
Process Optimization and Parameter Control
Again it is very important to conduct thorough experiments to determine the best pressure and temperature parameter conditions for a particular herb required to extract a specific compound. Also, flow rate and extraction time are also key indicators of yield maximum and highest quality possible.
Quality Control and Analysis
Sample preparation, usually solid phase microextraction, is key to achieving representative and reproducible results. It is therefore of paramount importance that the sample is representative, as any variation at this stage will mean errors are built in and no amount of sample preparation and analysis will rectify the problem.
Applications and Future Trends in Herbal Extraction
Supercritical Fluid extraction machines have a great range of applications and far more are being discovered by the day. From the pharmaceutical industry to natural food additives and ingredients in the cosmetic industry, herbal extraction is now integral to many products that are naturally sourced and are sustainable.
Supercritical Fluid Extraction machines open up broader opportunities to process varieties of herbs for their bioactive compounds.
Conclusion
In conclusion I would say that the supercritical fluid extraction machines, a promising method for accessing high-quality herbal extracts, are supposed to pay good attention with the best conditions of extraction they can architect the best correct extraction. Every time using the correct solvents at the correct temperature and the correct pressure, which are the fundamental factors on extracting successfully from the herbal mass. All the safety parameters and quality control process will become a challenge for the success of the extraction.
