Economically Efficient Production of Hydro-Alcoholic Extracts from Medicinal Plants

摘要

This work aims to define a set of operating conditions that ensure economic efficiency for the industrial production of hydro-alcoholic extracts by percolation. The importance of such studies is pointed out by data collected from S.C. Parapharm S.R.L., Brad, Romania, during preparation of BANO Swedish Drops. For cost reasons, the influence of various parameters on the extraction efficiency as well as on the dynamics of wearing out the extractable species from the vegetal is assessed by means of the Mentha Piperita L. extract and its solid dry residue mass percentage. Results are correlated with chromatographic and spectral findings. A more alcoholic solvent and higher temperatures favour the extraction of volatile rather than of mucilaginous species. Consecutive percolation steps follow first order kinetics in time, but the nature of extracted species shifts from light and volatile chemicals to more heavy ones. A well-grained raw material may be used efficiently without prior separation of leafs from strains or roots.