Microwave Technology for Botanicals Extraction

Principle 

Plant cells contain water that serves as the target for microwave heating. Process efficiency depends on the ability of the material/solvent to absorb microwaves energy and pass it on as heat to the surrounding molecules.

The moisture when heated up inside the plant cell due to microwave effect, evaporates and generates tremendous pressure on the cell wall due to swelling of the plant cell.

Advantages and Quality of the Obtained Extract

• Total control of extraction parameters for a better accuracy and precision
• The extractive power of the microwave technology is high for iridoids, flavonoids and alkaloids
• High energy power which reduces time extraction
  • Less thermal degradation of materials (preserve the cell content)
  • Selective extraction (less pigments, waxes, cellulose…)
• Useful for thermo-sensitive molecules
• Excellent long-term stability
• Clean process:                   
  • Solvent usage reduced
  • Environmentally friendly, recognized by COSMOS referential
• Good mass transfer which improves homogeneity and reproducibility