Extraction technology and production process of Angelica sinensis extract.

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Angelica sinensis extract

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1. Introduction

Angelica sinensis, a well - known traditional Chinese medicinal herb, has been widely used for centuries in various fields such as medicine, health care, and cosmetology. The extract of Angelica sinensis contains a variety of active ingredients, including ferulic acid, ligustilide, and polysaccharides, which possess diverse pharmacological effects such as anti - inflammatory, antioxidant, and hematopoiesis - promoting properties. Therefore, the extraction technology and production process of Angelica sinensis extract are of great significance.

2. Main extraction techniques

2.1 Supercritical fluid extraction

Supercritical fluid extraction is a relatively advanced method in the extraction of Angelica sinensis extract. Supercritical carbon dioxide (SC - CO₂) is the most commonly used supercritical fluid in this process. It has several remarkable advantages:

• High efficiency: SC - CO₂ can quickly penetrate into the plant material and dissolve the target active ingredients effectively.
• Selectivity: It can selectively extract specific active ingredients while leaving behind unwanted substances, resulting in a relatively pure extract.
• Environment - friendly: Carbon dioxide is a non - toxic, non - flammable, and easily available gas. After the extraction process, it can be easily removed from the extract by reducing the pressure, leaving no harmful residues.

In the supercritical fluid extraction process, several key parameters need to be strictly controlled. These include the temperature, pressure, and extraction time.

2.2 Solvent extraction

Solvent extraction is another traditional and commonly used method. Ethanol, methanol, and water - ethanol mixtures are often used as solvents.

• For ethanol extraction, ethanol with different concentrations can be used. Higher - concentration ethanol is more suitable for extracting lipophilic components such as ligustilide, while lower - concentration ethanol can also extract some water - soluble components like polysaccharides.
• However, solvent extraction also has some disadvantages. One of the main problems is that the solvent residue may remain in the extract, which may affect the quality and safety of the product. Therefore, additional purification steps are often required to reduce the solvent residue to an acceptable level.

2.3 Ultrasonic - assisted extraction

Ultrasonic - assisted extraction utilizes ultrasonic waves to enhance the extraction efficiency. The ultrasonic waves can cause cavitation in the solvent, which disrupts the cell walls of the Angelica sinensis plant material and promotes the release of active ingredients into the solvent.

• This method can significantly shorten the extraction time compared to traditional solvent extraction methods. For example, in some cases, the extraction time can be reduced from several hours to just tens of minutes.
• However, like solvent extraction, the choice of solvent still plays an important role in ultrasonic - assisted extraction, and the problem of solvent residue also needs to be considered.

3. Production process of Angelica sinensis extract

3.1 Raw material collection

The quality of the raw material, Angelica sinensis, is crucial for the production of high - quality extract. The following factors should be considered during the collection process:

1. Origin: Angelica sinensis from different origins may have differences in active ingredient content and quality. It is advisable to choose Angelica sinensis from regions with a long - standing reputation for high - quality production, such as certain areas in China where the climate and soil conditions are suitable for the growth of Angelica sinensis.
2. Harvest time: The appropriate harvest time is also very important. Generally, Angelica sinensis should be harvested at the right growth stage to ensure the highest content of active ingredients. Harvesting too early or too late may lead to a decrease in the content of important active ingredients.

3.2 Drying

After collection, the Angelica sinensis needs to be dried properly. There are several drying methods available:

• Sun drying: This is a traditional and simple method. However, it is affected by weather conditions and may not be able to ensure uniform drying. Moreover, if the drying time is too long under strong sunlight, some active ingredients may be degraded.
• Oven drying: Using an oven can control the drying temperature and time more accurately. A suitable drying temperature should be set to avoid excessive heat damage to the active ingredients. For example, a temperature range of 40 - 60°C is often considered appropriate for drying Angelica sinensis.
• Freeze - drying: Freeze - drying is a relatively advanced drying method. It can better preserve the structure and activity of the active ingredients. However, it is also more expensive and requires more complex equipment.

3.3 Grinding

Once the Angelica sinensis is dried, it needs to be ground into a suitable particle size. The grinding process has the following considerations:

• Particle size: The appropriate particle size can increase the contact area between the plant material and the extraction solvent or supercritical fluid, thereby improving the extraction efficiency. Generally, a finer particle size is beneficial, but if it is too fine, it may cause problems such as clogging during the extraction process.
• Uniformity: Ensuring the uniformity of the particle size is also important. This can be achieved by using appropriate grinding equipment and techniques.

3.4 Extraction process

As mentioned earlier, different extraction methods have different requirements for the extraction process. Taking supercritical fluid extraction as an example:

1. Temperature control: The temperature has a significant impact on the solubility of the active ingredients in supercritical carbon dioxide. Generally, a temperature range of 35 - 60°C is often used. If the temperature is too low, the solubility of the active ingredients may be insufficient, while if the temperature is too high, it may cause the degradation of some active ingredients.
2. Pressure control: The pressure also affects the extraction efficiency. Usually, a pressure range of 10 - 30 MPa is applied. Higher pressure can increase the density of supercritical carbon dioxide and thus improve its solubility for the active ingredients, but excessive pressure may also bring some safety risks and equipment requirements.
3. Time control: The extraction time should be optimized. Too short an extraction time may result in incomplete extraction of the active ingredients, while too long an extraction time may not only waste energy but also may cause the extraction of some unwanted substances.

3.5 Product post - treatment

After the extraction process, the Angelica sinensis extract needs to be post - treated to ensure its stability and quality for various applications.

• Filtration: Filtration is used to remove solid impurities in the extract, such as plant debris and undissolved substances. This can improve the clarity and purity of the extract.
• Concentration: In some cases, the extract may need to be concentrated to increase the content of active ingredients. However, during the concentration process, appropriate methods should be used to avoid the loss or degradation of active ingredients.
• Packaging: The packaging of the extract should be carried out in a way that can protect it from light, moisture, and oxygen. For example, using opaque, airtight containers can help to maintain the stability of the extract during storage and transportation.

4. Applications of Angelica sinensis extract

4.1 Pharmaceutical applications

Angelica sinensis extract has been widely used in the pharmaceutical industry. Its active ingredients have various pharmacological effects:

• Anti - inflammatory: Some components in the extract can inhibit the production of inflammatory mediators, thereby reducing inflammation in the body. This property makes it potentially useful for the treatment of inflammatory diseases such as arthritis.
• Antioxidant: The antioxidant components in the extract can scavenge free radicals in the body, protecting cells from oxidative damage. This is beneficial for preventing and treating some diseases related to oxidative stress, such as cardiovascular diseases.
• Hematopoiesis - promoting: Angelica sinensis has a long - standing reputation for promoting hematopoiesis. The extract can stimulate the production of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets, which is useful for treating anemia and other blood - related disorders.

4.2 Nutraceutical applications

In the nutraceutical field, Angelica sinensis extract is also popular. It can be used as a dietary supplement to improve health:

• For women's health: It is often used to regulate menstrual cycles, relieve menstrual pain, and improve symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Some products containing Angelica sinensis extract are specifically designed for women's health care.
• Immune system enhancement: The polysaccharides in the extract can enhance the immune function of the body, helping the body to resist diseases more effectively.
• Anti - aging: The antioxidant properties of the extract also contribute to anti - aging effects. It can help to maintain the elasticity and health of the skin, reducing the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.

5. Conclusion

The extraction technology and production process of Angelica sinensis extract are complex and multi - faceted. Different extraction techniques have their own advantages and disadvantages, and the production process needs to pay attention to every step from raw material collection to product post - treatment. With the development of technology, more advanced and efficient extraction methods may be developed in the future, and the applications of Angelica sinensis extract in various fields will also be further explored and expanded.

FAQ:

What are the advantages of supercritical fluid extraction in Angelica sinensis extract?

Supercritical fluid extraction, especially using supercritical carbon dioxide, has several advantages. It offers high efficiency in extracting active ingredients from Angelica sinensis. It is also highly selective, which means it can target specific beneficial compounds while leaving behind unwanted substances. This results in a purer extract with better quality for applications in pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, etc.

Why is strict control of parameters necessary during the extraction process?

Strict control of parameters such as temperature, pressure, and time during the extraction process is crucial. These parameters directly affect the extraction efficiency and the quality of the final extract. Incorrect values of these parameters may lead to incomplete extraction of active ingredients, or may cause degradation or alteration of the beneficial compounds in Angelica sinensis, thus affecting the stability and effectiveness of the extract for various applications.

What steps are involved in the production process of Angelica sinensis extract?

The production process starts with the collection of high - quality Angelica. Then, it needs to be appropriately dried and ground into a suitable form for extraction. After that, the extraction process is carried out with precise control of temperature, pressure, and time. Finally, product post - treatment is performed to ensure the stability and quality of the extract for different applications in industries like pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals.

How does the quality of the collected Angelica affect the final extract?

The quality of the collected Angelica is fundamental to the final extract. High - quality Angelica contains a greater amount and better quality of active ingredients. If the collected Angelica is of poor quality, it may have a lower content of the desired compounds, be contaminated with impurities, or have been damaged, which will ultimately lead to a less effective and lower - quality extract.

What are the applications of Angelica sinensis extract in the pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industries?

In the pharmaceutical industry, Angelica sinensis extract may be used for its potential medicinal properties such as anti - inflammatory, antioxidant, and blood - regulating effects. In the nutraceutical industry, it can be used in dietary supplements due to its health - promoting properties, which may include improving overall well - being, supporting the immune system, and potentially having beneficial effects on women's health.

Related literature

• Optimization of Extraction Technology for Angelica sinensis Extract"
• "The Production and Quality Control of Angelica sinensis Extract in the Modern Pharmaceutical Industry"
• "Supercritical Fluid Extraction of Angelica sinensis: A Review of the Process and Applications"