Department:
Catalysis & Inorganic Chemical Technology
Project manager(s):
Year:
2015
Financial supporter:
Iranian Research Organization for Science and Technology
| Echinacea purpurea has been introduced as a source of bioactive compounds and phytochemicals. Cichoric acid is a caffeic acid derivative and known as appropriate marker for the quality of Echinacea purpurea containing products. In this project efficient extraction of cichoric acid from root and aerial parts of Echinacea purpurea and encapsulation of extract by spray drying has been conducted. Ultrasound assisted extraction and percolation techniques used for extraction of cichoric acid from root and aerial parts of Echinacea purpurea. The concentration of cichoric acid in extracts was analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The encapsulation of extracts was performed in the presence of carrier compounds. Maltodextrine and gelatin used for encapsulation of extracts and experimental parameters for spray drying of resulted materials were carried out. The optimum extraction parameters for encapsulation and drying of extracts were the 60% (w/w) maltodextrine and the 15% (w/w) gelatin rather than echinacea extract, the drying temperature of 125 C and the feed flow rate of 5.0 ml/min for maltodextrine and 5.6 ml/min for gelatin. The produced powders were analyzed by HPLC and characterized by SEM and particle size analyzer instruments. The results showed that maltodextrine and gelatin can efficiently encapsulate extracts of Echinacea purpurea by spray drying. Based on these finding it is proposed that these extract powders used in formulation of new herbal medicines. |