Karela
Karela
Purity Levels
5% Bitters (Charantin)
Mechotech designs and manufactures turnkey herbal extraction plants for Karela (Momordica charantia, bitter melon), listed in the catalogue with a 5% bitters (charantin) figure. Mechotech also lists Bitter Melon Extract and Momordica as separate pages for the same plant, each with its own standardisation listing.
Mechotech’s Karela plant is configured around the specific chemistry and processing requirements of the raw material. Built in SS 316L with integrated solvent recovery, automation and full documentation, each plant is delivered as a commissioned turnkey system. The figure 5% Bitters (Charantin) is the catalogue standardisation; the specification actually targeted is set during process development and pilot validation.
Technical Specifications
| Product | Karela Extraction Plant |
|---|---|
| Process Category | Herbal Extraction Plants |
| Botanical Name | Momordica charantia Linn |
| Raw Material | Karela (Momordica charantia Linn), also called bitter melon |
| Plant Part / Feed Form | Fruit (as stated on Mechotech’s Bitter Melon Extract page for the same plant; fresh or dried feed form confirmed with the client) |
| Principal Documented Constituent | Bitters (charantin) (as listed in the catalogue) |
| Standardisation | 5% Bitters (Charantin) (catalogue figure) |
| Extract Type | Standardised extract (liquid concentrate or dried powder, per specification) |
| Extraction Method | Food-grade solvent (alcohol / aqueous) extraction in closed, jacketed SS 316L extractors |
| Product-contact Material | SS 316L, electropolished, CIP-cleanable |
| Filtration System | Plate-and-frame filter press with cartridge polish filtration |
| Concentration System | Falling-film / vacuum evaporator with closed-loop solvent recovery |
| Drying System | Spray dryer or vacuum dryer, where a powder is required |
| Utility Requirements | Steam, chilled/cooling water, vacuum, compressed air, soft water, power (project-specific) |
| Automation | PLC-based automation |
| Plant Capacity | Configured to requirement |
| Compliance | GMP hygienic design; full documentation for qualification |
| Final Product Form | Standardised extract (concentrate or free-flowing powder) |
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
Karela (Momordica charantia) fruit is authenticated, washed and cleaned, then size-reduced and, where required, dried and tested for moisture before extraction. Whether the fruit is processed fresh or dried is confirmed with the client.
Extraction
The prepared Karela fruit is extracted with food-grade solvent (alcohol / aqueous) in closed jacketed SS 316L extractors under controlled temperature and over multiple cycles to recover the target constituents.
Filtration
The extract (miscella) is clarified through a plate-and-frame filter press followed by cartridge polish filters.
Concentration & Solvent Recovery
The miscella is concentrated in a falling-film / vacuum evaporator, with solvent recovered through the condenser return system.
Standardisation
The concentrate is assayed and adjusted to the client’s target specification (catalogue figure: 5% Bitters (Charantin)) before the final finishing step.
Drying & Quality Control
The standardised Karela extract is kept as a concentrate or spray- or vacuum-dried to the required form, then released after assay, residual-solvent, heavy-metal, microbial and moisture testing.
Major Plant Equipment
- Raw material authentication, cleaning and moisture testing
- Mill (size reduction)
- Jacketed SS 316L extraction vessels
- Plate-and-frame filter press
- Cartridge polish filters
- Falling-film / vacuum evaporator
- Closed-loop solvent recovery system (condenser return)
- Spray dryer / vacuum dryer
- CIP (clean-in-place) system
- PLC-based automation panel
Plant Output
Applications
- Pharmaceutical standardised ingredient supply
- Nutraceutical capsule, tablet, and supplement manufacturing
- Food, flavour, and beverage applications
- Cosmetic and personal care active ingredients
- Ayurvedic and traditional medicine preparations
Key Features
SS 316L Construction
Electropolished SS 316L product-contact surfaces with CIP operation between batches.
Closed-Loop Solvent Recovery
Integrated condenser-return recovery reuses solvent between batches and reduces solvent loss.
Standardised to Specification
In-process and batch-release assay are used to check the finished extract against its agreed target specification (catalogue figure: 5% Bitters (Charantin)).
Flexible Finishing
The extract can be finished as a concentrate or, with a matched spray or vacuum dryer, as a free-flowing powder.
Scalable Batch Capacity
Plants are configured to requirement from pilot scale upward, with modular expansion.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Mechotech supply the complete machinery for Karela?
What specification does the catalogue list for Karela?
What production capacities are available for the Karela plant?
How is Karela extract produced in Mechotech’s extraction plant?
How does this Karela page differ from Mechotech’s Bitter Melon and Momordica pages?
Which part of Karela is processed in the plant?
Which botanical and use areas does the catalogue list for Karela Extract?
Which equipment finishes the Karela extract as a concentrate or powder?
Which related routes and pages does Mechotech list alongside Karela?
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