Botanical Extraction

Extraction System

Precision pharmaceutical methods bridging traditional herbal wisdom with clinical laboratory science.

The Process

Extraction is the process in which the plant tissues are treated with specific solvents whereby the medicinally active constituents are dissolved out, cell tissues and most of inactive or inert components remain undissolved. The plant material used for extraction should be properly identified. The choice of the plant material for extraction depends on its nature and the components required to be isolated. The solvents used for extraction purposes is known as “Menstruum” and residue left after extracting the desired constituents is known as “Marc”.

"We primarily utilize water (aqua) extraction methods to mirror the natural solubility found within the biological environment of the plant itself."

The medicinal value of natural herb of the plant is due to the active constituents. It is generally advantages to extract the active constituents to formulate a control doses form of that active constituents rather than using the bulk quantity.

From the stand point of pharmacy, the purpose of a solvent is to remove from a solid, either in part or in its entirety such substances that may be rendered to a liquid. When the material has extracted, the “Menstruum” is known as “Vehicle” or “Carrier” of the extracted materials. Solvents differ widely from each other, not only in differing boiling points, but how they act or react with substances in which they come in contact.

Ideal Solvent Criteria

  • Non-Toxic & Selective

    Dissolves only the required constituents with minimum inert material.

  • Chemical Stability

    Should not cause the extract to complex or dissociate.

  • Preservative Action

    Must have natural preservative action against degradation.

  • Rapid Absorption

    Promote rapid physiologic absorption of the extract.

  • Volatile

    Should be easily evaporated at low heat for purification.

Laboratory Distillation
Selection of Solvents

There are large number of solvents (Menstruum) used for extraction of herbs, but the selection of the suitable solvents capable of extracting the active constituents depends upon the chemical properties of active constituents as well as the qualities of the solvent. The solvents commonly used for the extraction of the herbs include water, alcohol and there different dilutions.

Ethanol: The Universal Solvent

Alcohol (Ethanol) stands as the quintessential solvent in botanical science. It meets all "Ideal Solvent" criteria and provides a versatile range of concentrations for varied extraction needs.

Solubility Profile

Excellent solvent for Alkaloids, Glycosides, Resins, Tannins, Anthraquinone Derivatives and Volatile Oils. Ineffective for Gums, Sucrose, Waxes and Albumens, allowing for clean purification.

Superior Selectivity

In a herb containing alkaloids, glycosides, albumin and gum, water will dissolve all the substances. Whereas dilute alcohol will selectively dissolve only the alkaloidal salts and glycosides.

Alcohol-Soluble Herbs

Benzoin, Asafoetida, Ginger, Valerian, Myrrh etc.

Water is a good solvent for the extraction of many types of active constituents such as alkaloidal salts, colouring agents, glycosides, gums, sugars, anthraquinone derivatives and tannins. It can also act as menstruum for many organic acids and small proportions of volatile oils. Water is not a suitable menstruum (Solvent) for constituents like waxes, fats, fixed oil and alkaloidal bases due to there insolubility in water. Water is not selective as it can dissolve a wide range of substances and leads to hydrolysis of many substances. Water soluble herbs are aloe, glycyrrhiza, linseed, senna leaves, senna pods, ginger etc.

Secondary Solvent Library

Beyond Water and Alcohol, we utilize specialized menstruums for targeted phytochemical isolation.

Ether

Highly specialized for the extraction of Capsicum and male fern, where non-polar affinity is required.

Highly Inflammable

Chloroform

Non-inflammable solvent for alkaloidal bases, oils, and waxes. Highly effective for analytical extraction.

Alkaloid Specialist

Glycerin

Specifically used to dissolve and stabilize Tannins. Non-inflammable and highly viscous liquid.

Tannin Solvent

Light Petroleum

Very volatile solvent used primarily for defatting herbal materials (oils, fats, waxes).

Defatting Agent

Fixed Oils

Arachis Oil and others act as a stable vehicle for fat-soluble vitamins and infused lipid actives.

Lipid Matrix

Propylene Glycol

Modern pharmaceutical solvent used for topical stability and consistent constituent delivery.

Stability Focus

Extraction of organic bases like alkaloids usually necessitates basification of plant material, if a water immiscible solvent is to be used, whereas for aromatic acids and phenols, acidification may be required. The glycosides are soluble in water and alcohol but are insoluble in non-polar solvents. Tannins are phenolic matter soluble in water, alcohol and ethyl acetate.