Maca
Maca
Purity Levels
Alkaloids
Mechotech designs and manufactures turnkey herbal extraction plants for Maca (Lepidium meyenii), listed in the catalogue with an Alkaloids standardisation and no stated percentage. The text of Mechotech’s legacy Maca page names Maca roots as the raw material; the plant part and feed form are confirmed with the client before the plant is configured.
Mechotech’s Maca 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 listing Alkaloids (spelt “Alkaloides” in the product tree) is the catalogue standardisation, with no percentage or individual alkaloid stated; the specification actually targeted is set during process development and pilot validation.
Technical Specifications
| Product | Maca Extraction Plant |
|---|---|
| Process Category | Herbal Extraction Plants |
| Botanical Name | Lepidium meyenii Walpers (per the Sureka Life Sciences catalogue entry for Maca Extract; the legacy Mechotech page title also reads Lepidium meyenii) |
| Raw Material | Maca (Lepidium meyenii Walpers) |
| Plant Part / Feed Form | Roots (as named in the text of Mechotech’s legacy Maca page; exact feed form confirmed with the client) |
| Principal Documented Constituent | Alkaloids (as listed in the catalogue; no individual alkaloid named) |
| Standardisation | Alkaloids (catalogue listing, spelt “Alkaloides” in the product tree; no percentage or assay method stated) |
| 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
Maca raw material (roots, per the legacy page text) is authenticated, washed and cleaned, tested for moisture and milled to a uniform particle size to maximise solvent contact before extraction. The exact feed form is confirmed with the client.
Extraction
The prepared Maca raw material 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 listing: Alkaloids; no percentage stated) before the final finishing step.
Drying & Quality Control
The standardised Maca 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
From Plant to Product
Maca Extract
This botanical is also in the product range of Sureka Life Sciences, our sister concern in botanical ingredients.
Applications
- Nutraceutical and dietary supplements
- Functional foods
- Cosmeceuticals
- Traditional medicine
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 listing: Alkaloids).
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 Maca?
What specification does the catalogue list for Maca?
What production capacities are available for the Maca plant?
How is Maca extract produced in Mechotech’s extraction plant?
Which plant part of Maca is processed in the plant?
Which botanical and application areas does the catalogue list for Maca Extract?
Which equipment finishes the Maca extract as a concentrate or powder?
Which solvent routes and hub page relate to Maca?
Which herbal extraction plants does the product tree list next to Maca?
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