Artichoke Extract Powder (Cynarin)
Artichoke Extract Powder (Cynarin)
Extraction Technologies
Mechotech supplies the complete machinery for artichoke extract powder production, standardised to 2.5%-5% Cynarin by HPLC/UV. Artichoke (Cynara scolymus) leaf is rich in cynarin and chlorogenic acids, valued for liver and digestive support. Our turnkey plant extracts, concentrates, and spray-dries these actives into a standardised free-flowing powder for the nutraceutical, functional food, and pharmaceutical markets. Candidate extraction technologies for cynarin: Counter-Current Extraction (CCE), Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction (UAE), Hybrid Extraction and Microwave-Assisted Extraction (MAE) (4 in total).
Mechotech designs and manufactures the artichoke extract powder extraction plant as a turnkey solution with SS 316L construction, low-temperature aqueous-ethanol extraction, integrated solvent recovery, and spray drying. The process is engineered to protect the heat-sensitive cynarin fraction while achieving a consistent 2.5%-5% assay by HPLC/UV and low moisture.
Technical Specifications
| Product | Artichoke Extract Powder (Cynarin) Plant |
|---|---|
| Feedstock | Artichoke leaves |
| Part / Feed Form | Leaves |
| Target Extract | Cynarin |
| Standardisation | 2.5%-5% Cynarin by HPLC/UV |
| Extraction Method | Counter-current, UAE, Hybrid, MAE |
| Technology Count | 4 |
| Product-contact Material | SS 316L, electropolished, CIP-cleanable |
| Automation | PLC-SCADA, configured to requirement |
Plant Capacities
| Plant Scale | Raw Material Throughput | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|
| Pilot | Configured to your feedstock and trial plan | Product development, parameter validation |
| Semi-Commercial | Configured between pilot and commercial scale | Contract manufacturing, scale-up trials |
| Commercial | Configured to raw-material supply and confirmed buyer volume | Commercial production at confirmed buyer volume |
Capacity is configured to raw-material supply and confirmed buyer volume; we recommend a pilot plant to validate process parameters before scaling.
Manufacturing Process
Each extraction method follows a different process — pick a method to see its steps.
Raw-Material Preparation
Artichoke leaves are cleaned and size-reduced so cynarin can be reached by the extraction medium; particle size and moisture are set during process development.
Counter-Current Loading
Prepared Artichoke leaves are fed into a multi-stage solid–liquid counter-current extractor where fresh ethanol/water or a suitable food-grade solvent meets the most-depleted material.
Counter-Current Extraction
Solvent flows against the solids across stages to draw out cynarin; bed flow and fines management are verified during pilot work.
Extract (Miscella) Collection
The cynarin-bearing miscella is collected from the fresh-feed end while spent solids are discharged from the solvent-entry end.
Concentration & Solvent Recovery
Solvent is removed from the clarified cynarin-bearing extract under vacuum and returned through a solvent-recovery loop; recovery performance is confirmed at pilot scale.
Standardisation & Drying
The cynarin extract is assayed against the declared target specification and dried to a powder, or supplied as a concentrate, according to the requirement.
Raw-Material Preparation
Artichoke leaves are cleaned and size-reduced so cynarin can be reached by the extraction medium; particle size and moisture are set during process development.
Slurrying
Prepared Artichoke leaves are slurried with ethanol/water or water in the extraction vessel.
Ultrasonic Cavitation
Ultrasound creates cavitation that disrupts the leaves tissue and speeds release of cynarin; probe intensity, temperature and filtration behaviour are piloted.
Separation
Spent leaves are separated by filtration or centrifugation and the extract is clarified before concentration.
Concentration & Solvent Recovery
Solvent is removed from the clarified cynarin-bearing extract under vacuum and returned through a solvent-recovery loop; recovery performance is confirmed at pilot scale.
Standardisation & Drying
The cynarin extract is assayed against the declared target specification and dried to a powder, or supplied as a concentrate, according to the requirement.
Raw-Material Preparation
Artichoke leaves are cleaned and size-reduced so cynarin can be reached by the extraction medium; particle size and moisture are set during process development.
Stage Sequence Selection
A deliberate combined extraction train is used: the sequence of stages is selected for cynarin in pilot screening and each stage is designed separately.
First Assisted Stage
The first stage releases cynarin from the leaves under controlled conditions set for that stage.
Second / Combined Stage
The second stage completes recovery of cynarin from the partially extracted material; stage conditions are optimised separately.
Separation & Concentration
Spent solids are removed and the combined extract is clarified and concentrated; solvent is recovered where a solvent is used.
Standardisation & Drying
The cynarin extract is assayed against the declared target specification and dried to a powder, or supplied as a concentrate, according to the requirement.
Raw-Material Preparation
Artichoke leaves are cleaned and size-reduced so cynarin can be reached by the extraction medium; particle size and moisture are set during process development.
Medium Mixing
Prepared Artichoke leaves are mixed with ethanol/water or water in the microwave extraction vessel.
Microwave Heating & Extraction
Controlled microwave heating drives cynarin out of the leaves in a short cycle; heating, moisture, solvent safety and temperature-sensitive targets are controlled, with limits set during process development and pilot validation.
Separation
Spent leaves are separated by filtration or centrifugation and the extract is clarified before concentration.
Concentration & Solvent Recovery
Solvent is removed from the clarified cynarin-bearing extract under vacuum and returned through a solvent-recovery loop; recovery performance is confirmed at pilot scale.
Standardisation & Drying
The cynarin extract is assayed against the declared target specification and dried to a powder, or supplied as a concentrate, according to the requirement.
Major Plant Equipment
- Raw-material cleaning and size-reduction system
- Multi-stage counter-current extractor
- Solvent storage tanks and transfer pumps
- Ultrasonic extraction vessel with transducer system
- Combined extraction train (stage equipment per the selected sequence)
- Microwave extraction vessel with temperature and safety controls
- Filtration / centrifugation system
- Vacuum evaporator
- Solvent recovery system with condensers
- Spray dryer
- CIP (clean-in-place) system
- Storage and finished-product tanks
- PLC-SCADA control panel and instrumentation
Plant Output
Applications
- Nutraceutical capsule and tablet formulations
- Functional food and dietary supplement manufacturing
- Pharmaceutical standardised botanical ingredient supply
- Ayurvedic and traditional medicine preparations
- Cosmetic and personal care active ingredient supply
- Export to nutraceutical ingredient buyers in regulated markets
Key Features
GMP Hygienic SS 316L Construction
All product-contact surfaces are electropolished SS 316L, using GMP hygienic design for botanical extract manufacturing, with clean-in-place (CIP) operation between batches.
Standardised 2.5%-5% Assay by HPLC/UV
In-process and batch-release HPLC/UV assay are used to check the finished powder against its declared 2.5%-5% cynarin specification for consistent, buyer-ready quality.
Closed-Loop Solvent Recovery
Integrated condenser-distillation recovery returns ethanol to the process for reuse.
Integrated Spray Drying
A matched spray dryer converts the standardised concentrate into a free-flowing, low-moisture powder ready for encapsulation and blending, completing the turnkey powder line.
Scalable Batch Capacity
Plants are configured to requirement from pilot scale upward, with a modular design that allows expansion without replacing core equipment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which feedstock and target extract does the Artichoke Extract Powder (Cynarin) plant cover?
What is artichoke extract powder and why is it commercially extracted?
Does Mechotech supply the machinery for artichoke extract powder?
Which artichoke extract grades does Mechotech supply?
What testing method confirms this artichoke extract specification?
Which extraction technologies are candidates for Artichoke leaves?
How does the Artichoke Extract Powder (Cynarin) extraction process work?
What equipment does the Artichoke Extract Powder (Cynarin) extraction plant include?
Which related Mechotech extraction pages cover the same material or target?
Is a pilot trial recommended for Artichoke leaves extraction?
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