course technologies for growing medicinal and aromatic plants

Some of the most modern and efficient purification and concentration methods applied to
plant extracts are membrane processes.
Microfiltration removes suspended particles and colloidal compounds > 0,02 µm
(viruses, bacteria, yeast) extract clarification and sterilization.
The extract concentration by ultra filtration is performed by membrane retention of
compounds with molecular weights greater than the membrane pores (M > 1000 Da).
Nan filtration - baromembrana process, reverse osmosis and ultra filtration situated
between, which has developed strongly in recent years. The nan filtration separates
molecules with dimensions of approx. 0,001 µm.
Reverse osmosis - a process that removes low molecular weight solution from
aqueous solution. To prevent normal osmosis, one must work at high pressures (10 -
100 bar).
The advantages of using membrane processes: the processing of extracts at room
temperature (about 20 ˚ C) avoiding distortion of thermo labile bioactive compounds,
without the intervention of chemical reagents and low energy consumption.