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2025

The "membrane" process helps the natural plant extraction industry

Plant extract is a product formed by extracting and concentrating one or more active ingredients from plants through physical and chemical extraction

Plant extract is a product formed by extracting and concentrating one or more active ingredients from plants through physical and chemical extraction and separation processes according to the needs of the extracted final product, without changing the structure of the active ingredients.
Since the 21st century, the plant extract industry has entered a golden age. On the one hand, the improvement of living standards and the enhancement of health awareness have driven a strong demand for plant extract products among people; On the other hand, benefiting from the application of more advanced plant extraction technologies such as enzymatic extraction, ultrasonic extraction, supercritical extraction, microwave extraction, membrane separation technology, etc., production efficiency has been greatly improved.

AI-generated
Development Trends of Plant Extract Industry
The downstream demand for plant extracts is strong, and it is expected that the industry will maintain a growth rate of around 15% in the next 3-5 years. The demand for plant extracts remains strong in the future, for three reasons:
①. Global aging is accelerating, with prominent issues such as elderly care and chronic diseases. With the strengthening of health consumption concept and the increase of personal disposable income, the demand space will increase rapidly.
②. The food industry is developing strongly, natural product research is deepening, and "green food" and "healthy food" are becoming increasingly popular.
③. The rise of the "beauty economy" and the development trend of the cosmetics industry are returning to nature, greenness, environmental protection, and safety. China is the second largest cosmetics market in the world, and according to consumer generations, young consumers born in the 1990s and 1990s tend to prefer natural skincare products that focus on plant-based ingredients.
Plant extraction methods and characteristics
At present, the commonly used methods for extracting plant extracts include ultrasonic extraction technology, microwave extraction technology, supercritical fluid extraction technology, macroporous resin adsorption, membrane separation technology, etc.
①. Ultrasonic extraction: Utilizing ultrasonic cavitation to accelerate the leaching of useful plant components.
Advantages: Short extraction time, simple extraction method, high extraction rate, low extraction temperature, avoiding damage to useful components caused by high temperature and high pressure.
Disadvantages: High requirements for containers, noisy operation, and difficulty in expanding equipment.
②. Microwave extraction: In a microwave field, due to differences in the absorption of microwaves by substances, some components can be selectively heated and extracted.
Advantages: Short extraction time, simple equipment design, and low operating costs.
Disadvantage: The extraction mechanism of the equipment is unclear, which cannot ensure the purity of the extracted substance.
③. Supercritical extraction: Extraction and separation using supercritical fluid instead of conventional organic solvents. Commonly used for volatile components, lipophilic substances, highly thermosensitive substances, and valuable medicinal herbs.
Advantages: Low extraction temperature, effective retention of valuable components, no solvent residue, high extraction purity, and simple operation.
Disadvantages: High voltage equipment incurs significant investment costs for purchase and operation, as well as high operational costs for the equipment.
④. Membrane separation technology: It is a separation technology based on semi permeable membranes, which achieves the separation and concentration of different substances through pressure drive.
Features: No phase change, energy-saving, small size, detachable, operating temperature close to room temperature, pure physical extraction process, simple process, can achieve precise separation and efficient concentration of target components.
Process advantages of membrane separation technology in plant extraction
Efficient Separation: It can achieve efficient separation and concentration of target components, reduce interference from impurities, and improve product purity and stability.
Energy saving and environmental protection: using pressure drive, energy consumption is low, while avoiding factors such as high temperature and chemical treatment that cause pollution to the environment.
Easy to operate: The process is simple and easy to automate, reducing manual operation and human error.
Strong adaptability: Suitable for various types of plant extract liquids, and can be flexibly adjusted according to different needs.

On site membrane separation equipment ↑
With the continuous expansion of the plant extract market and the increasing demand for high-quality products from consumers, the application of membrane separation technology in plant extract liquid concentration will become more widespread. This not only helps to improve product quality and purity, meet market demand, but also provides strong support for technological innovation and sustainable development in the plant extract industry.
case application
①. Plant extract concentration system