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Views: 1000 Author: Site Editor Publish Time: 2025-10-23 Origin: Site
Microfiltration (MF): Removes suspended solids, plant debris, and colloids from crude extracts, typically using 0.1–10 μm pore-sized membranes (e.g., PVDF, ceramic). It serves as a pre-treatment step to protect downstream equipment.
Ultrafiltration (UF): Separates macromolecules (e.g., polysaccharides, proteins) from smaller bioactives (e.g., flavonoids) using 1–100 kDa molecular weight cut-off (MWCO) membranes (e.g., PES, regenerated cellulose).
Nanofiltration (NF): Concentrates target compounds (e.g., phenolics, saponins) while removing low-molecular-weight impurities (e.g., salts, sugars) via 200–2000 Da MWCO membranes (e.g., composite polyamide).
Reverse Osmosis (RO): Further concentrates extracts by removing water, ideal for heat-sensitive compounds (e.g., essential oils) that degrade under thermal evaporation.
Sustainability: Reduces solvent use (up to 90% in some cases) and energy consumption (no thermal phase changes), aligning with green chemistry goals.
Selectivity: Targets specific molecules without altering their structure, preserving bioactivity (critical for pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals).
Scalability: From lab-scale (5–50 L/h) to industrial production (100–10,000 L/h), membranes adapt to diverse throughput needs.
Cost-Efficiency: Lower operational costs over time due to reduced solvent purchasing, waste treatment, and energy bills.
Naturex (France): A leader in natural ingredients, Naturex uses UF and NF membranes to extract and purify polyphenols from green tea and grape seeds. Their facility in Avignon processes 500–800 L/h of extract, achieving 30% higher yield than solvent-based methods while eliminating organic solvent residues.
Givaudan (Switzerland): In flavor and fragrance production, Givaudan employs ceramic MF and RO membranes to concentrate essential oils from citrus peels. Their plant in Dubendorf operates at 1,200 L/h, reducing energy use by 40% compared to steam distillation.
Lonza (Switzerland/USA): For pharmaceutical-grade plant extracts (e.g., paclitaxel from yew bark), Lonza uses PES UF membranes (10 kDa MWCO) to remove proteins and cellulose debris. Their facility in Portsmouth, NH, processes 300 L/h with 99.9% purity, meeting FDA and EMA standards.
Kalsec (USA): A key player in natural antioxidants, Kalsec utilizes NF membranes to concentrate capsaicinoids from chili peppers. Their Kalamazoo plant operates at 2,000 L/h, cutting production time by 50% versus traditional chromatography.
