Ultrasonic Homogenizer Machine for Lecithin Aqueous Herbal Extraction

Ultrasonic Homogenizer Machine for Lecithin Aqueous Herbal Extraction

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An ultrasonic homogenizer machine is an excellent tool for lecithin-based aqueous herbal extraction, as it enhances the emulsification and bioavailability of active compounds. Here’s how it works and its benefits:

Why Use an Ultrasonic Homogenizer for Lecithin Aqueous Herbal Extraction?

Enhanced Extraction Efficiency

Ultrasonic cavitation breaks down plant cell walls, releasing bioactive compounds (e.g., polyphenols, alkaloids, terpenes) more effectively than traditional methods.

Lecithin acts as a natural emulsifier, improving the solubility of lipophilic herbal extracts in water.

Improved Lecithin Emulsification

High-frequency ultrasound (typically 20–40 kHz) creates stable nano/microemulsions by reducing droplet size and ensuring uniform dispersion.

Lecithin forms micelles that encapsulate hydrophobic compounds, enhancing absorption.

Faster Processing & Lower Temperatures

Ultrasonic extraction is quicker than Soxhlet or maceration.

Operates at low temperatures, preserving heat-sensitive phytochemicals.

Scalability & Eco-Friendliness

Suitable for lab-scale R&D and industrial production.

Reduces the need for toxic solvents (green extraction).

Generally, the plant raw materials are pre-treated by crushing to increase the contact area with the solvent. Then the pre-treated plant raw materials are mixed with the selected solvent in a certain proportion and placed in an ultrasonic extraction device. Under the action of ultrasound, the active ingredients in the plant cells gradually dissolve into the solvent. After the extraction is completed, the extract is separated from the residue by filtration, centrifugation, etc. to obtain a crude extract containing active ingredients, which can be further purified and refined as needed.

Step-by-Step Process

Prepare Herbal Material

Dry and grind the herb into a fine powder.

Mix with Aqueous Lecithin Solution

Dissolve lecithin in water (or water-ethanol mix) under mild stirring.

Ultrasonic Homogenization

Submerge the ultrasonic probe into the mixture.

Process for 5–30 min (pulsed mode prevents overheating).

Filtration & Concentration

Filter (e.g., centrifugation or mesh filter) to remove plant debris.

Optional: Concentrate via evaporation or lyophilization.

Applications

Nanoemulsions for enhanced bioavailability.

Phytochemical extraction (e.g., curcumin, ginsenosides, cannabinoids).

Cosmetic & nutraceutical formulations (lecithin improves skin penetration).

Raw material preparation: Select biological raw materials rich in target vitamins, such as fresh fruits, vegetables, grains or microorganisms, and perform pretreatment, including washing, chopping, drying, crushing and other operations, to increase the contact area between the raw materials and the solvent and improve the extraction efficiency.

Extraction solvent selection: Select a suitable solvent according to the properties of the target vitamin. For example, for water-soluble vitamins, polar solvents such as water and ethanol-water solution are more commonly used; for fat-soluble vitamins, non-polar solvents such as n-hexane and petroleum are often used.

Ultrasonic extraction: Mix the pretreated raw materials and solvents in a certain proportion and put them into the ultrasonic extraction equipment. Set appropriate ultrasonic parameters, such as frequency, power, extraction time and temperature, and start the equipment for extraction.
Extraction liquid separation and purification: After the extraction is completed, the extract is separated from the residue by filtration, centrifugation and other methods to obtain a crude extract containing vitamins. In order to obtain a higher purity vitamin product, the crude extract needs to be further purified, such as by distillation, extraction, chromatography and other methods.
Cell disruption: When ultrasonic waves propagate in a liquid medium, cavitation effects will occur. In the negative pressure phase of the ultrasonic wave, tiny cavitation bubbles will form in the liquid, and in the positive pressure phase, the cavitation bubbles will close quickly, generating instantaneous high pressure and local high temperature up to thousands of atmospheres. This strong impact force can destroy the cell walls and cell membranes of biological cells, and release substances such as vitamins in the cells into the surrounding solvent.
Accelerate mass transfer: The mechanical vibration of ultrasonic waves can accelerate the material transfer process between the solvent and the biological raw materials. It allows the solvent molecules to penetrate into the raw materials more quickly, and also promotes the vitamins released from the cells to diffuse into the solvent faster, thereby improving the extraction efficiency.
Reducing surface tension: Ultrasonic waves can reduce the surface tension of the solvent, making it easier for the solvent to wet the biological raw materials, further promoting the contact and interaction between the solvent and the raw materials, and facilitating the dissolution and extraction of vitamins.

Parameter:

Application
Pharmaceutical industry: In the production of vitamin drugs, ultrasonic extraction can be used to extract vitamins from natural raw materials as active ingredients of drugs, such as extracting B vitamins from yeast and extracting vitamin E from plant oils and fats.
Health care products industry: Used to produce vitamin health products, extract vitamins from natural plants or animal tissues, and make various vitamin tablets, capsules, oral liquids and other products to meet people's demand for vitamin supplements.
Food additives: Extracted vitamins can be used as food additives to fortify foods, such as adding vitamins to beverages, dairy products, cereal products, etc. to improve the nutritional value of food.