Echinacea Extract Powder (Chicory Acid)
Echinacea Extract Powder (Chicory Acid)
Mechotech supplies the complete machinery for echinacea extract powder (chicory acid) production, standardised to 2%-4% Chicory acid (cichoric acid) by HPLC. Echinacea purpurea is rich in chicory acid (cichoric acid), a caffeic acid derivative valued for immune 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.
Mechotech designs and manufactures the echinacea extract powder (chicory acid) 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 chicory acid fraction while achieving a consistent 2%-4% assay by HPLC and low moisture, configured to the client’s target specification.
Technical Specifications
| Product | Echinacea Extract Powder (Chicory Acid) Extraction Plant |
|---|---|
| Botanical Name | Echinacea purpurea |
| Raw Material | Echinacea purpurea |
| Plant Part | Aerial parts and roots (as listed in the catalogue for Echinacea purpurea); exact feed form confirmed with the client |
| Standardisation | 2%–4% Chicory acid (cichoric acid) by HPLC (catalogue figure) |
| Extraction Method | Closed jacketed SS 316L extraction with food-grade solvent (alcohol / aqueous) |
| Product-contact Material | SS 316L |
| Filtration System | Plate-and-frame filter press with cartridge polish filters |
| Concentration System | Falling-film / vacuum evaporator with solvent recovery |
| Drying System | Spray or vacuum dryer |
| Plant Capacity | Configured to requirement |
| Final Product Form | Echinacea extract powder (chicory acid) |
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 | Scale-up trials, contract manufacturing |
| Commercial | Configured to raw-material supply and confirmed buyer volume | Commercial production |
Capacity is configured to raw-material supply, confirmed buyer volume and investment timeline; a pilot plant is recommended to validate parameters before scaling.
Manufacturing Process
Raw Material Preparation
Dried echinacea raw material is authenticated, tested for moisture (target below 10%), and milled to a uniform particle size to maximise solvent contact and release of the chicory acid before extraction.
Extraction
Milled material is extracted with warm water or aqueous ethanol (40–70% v/v) in closed jacketed SS 316L extractors at 45–70°C. Multiple cycles with fresh solvent maximise chicory acid recovery while limiting thermal degradation.
Filtration
The extract (miscella) is clarified through a plate-and-frame filter press followed by 1–5 micron cartridge polish filters to remove plant particulates before concentration.
Purification & Vacuum Concentration
For high-grade specifications, the extract passes a macroporous resin or membrane purification stage to enrich the target actives, then is concentrated in a falling-film evaporator at 50–65°C under vacuum with ethanol recovered.
Standardisation
The concentrate is assayed and adjusted to the declared target specification before the final finishing step.
Spray Drying & Quality Control
The standardised concentrate is spray-dried to a free-flowing powder with controlled inlet/outlet temperature to preserve the actives. Each batch undergoes HPLC assay, residual solvent, heavy metals, microbial, and moisture testing before release.
Major Plant Equipment
- Raw material cleaning and size-reduction system
- Closed jacketed SS 316L extraction vessels
- Solvent storage tanks
- Plate-and-frame filter press
- Cartridge polish filtration
- Falling-film / vacuum evaporator
- Solvent recovery unit and condensers
- Standardisation / blending vessel
- Spray or vacuum dryer
- CIP system
- Automation 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
SS 316L Construction
Electropolished SS 316L product-contact surfaces with CIP operation between batches.
Standardised 2%-4% Assay by HPLC
In-process and batch-release HPLC assay are used to check the finished powder against its declared 2%-4% chicory acid specification for consistent, buyer-ready quality.
Closed-Loop Solvent Recovery
Integrated condenser-return recovery reuses solvent between batches and reduces solvent loss.
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 modular expansion.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is echinacea extract powder (chicory acid) and why is it commercially extracted?
Does Mechotech supply the machinery for echinacea extract powder (chicory acid)?
What testing method confirms the echinacea extract powder (chicory acid) specification?
What production capacities are available for the echinacea extract powder (chicory acid) plant?
Which raw material is processed in this Echinacea plant?
How does the Echinacea Extract Powder (Chicory Acid) extraction process work?
Does Mechotech list other routes or related plants for Echinacea Extract Powder (Chicory Acid)?
Which industries does the catalogue list for Echinacea Extract Powder (Chicory Acid)?
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