AGRI-FOOD EXTRACTION
The extraction branch of the agri-food department of CELABOR is equipped with a technological platform unique in Wallonia boasting an ATEX zone, a test hall constituted of extraction machinery, a high performing laboratory and an experienced multi-disciplinary team. This team is working on the development of extraction processes with a “green” orientation, the preparation of natural plant ingredients for the food supplements, cosmetics and phytotherapy markets, etc.
The various extraction technologies also make it possible to optimise existing extracts and compare the “green” processes with traditional extraction techniques. The extraction department is also working on other biomass treatment processes such as debacterisation of liquids through pressurised CO22 , deodorisation, encapsulation of plant extracts, etc....
Analyses and Expertise
- cryogenic grinding
- drying
- pre-treatment with chemical or enzyme hydrolysis
- At laboratory and pilot scale
- Solid/liquid (static reactors and with agitation) and liquid/liquid (column)
- Extraction via pressurised hot solvents (subcritical water, supercritical CO2 etc.2 )
- Extraction with extraction assistance (ultrasounds and microwaves)
- Extraction by maceration with or without enzyme treatment
- Evaporation/ vacuum concentration
- Lyophilisation
- Atomisation
- Polyphenols (phenolic acids, derivatives of hydroxycinnamic acid, flavonoids, etc.)
- Essential oils
- Tocopherols, tocotrienols, phytosterols, phytosteryl ferulates, etc.
- Trace minerals: Se, I, Zn, etc.
- Composition of plant matrices: proteins, fat profile, ash, humidity, sugars (by HPLC and GC), fibre, etc
- Composés mineurs ou de contaminants : métaux lourds, screening de composés volatils, dosages d’ions, de mycotoxines…
- Antioxidant activity via DPPH (measurement of anti-radical strength), FRAP (overall evaluation of antioxidant strength) and ORAC (antioxidant strength)
- Fast spectrophotometric measurements such as Folin measurement for a comparative measurement of the polyphenol levels
- With the help of external workers, cytotoxicity and antibacterial and/or anti-inflammatory activities of the extracts can be determined
- Life cycle analyses of organic materials
Private Development and Research
CELABOR covers all stages of the extraction process, from pre-treatment of the raw material to post-treatment of extracts.
CELABOR can offer a very wide range of solutions for plant extraction according to specific needs and requests: solvent polarity, environmentally friendly process, cost, application of the extract, etc. The fields of application developed by the centre are multiple: extraction of extracts with high added value, active principles, debacterisation, dealcoholisation, encapsulation, fractioning of the extract, deodorisation, etc.
Depending on the nature of the raw material and the client’s request, CELABOR can develop the quantification of specific markers using varied analytical methods.
Examples of plant treatments studied by CELABOR
- Extraction/fractioning of lipid products
- Extraction and stabilisation of plant flavours: coffee, blackcurrant, etc…
- Extraction of fat-soluble vitamins
- Extraction of trichloroanisoles
- Extraction and stabilisation of flavours from marine products
- Extraction of natural insecticides (pyrethrum, etc.)
- Elimination of pesticides and micro-pollutants from fatty acids (continuous, on column)
- Deodorisation of plant or animal extracts
- Continuous extraction of brandy flavours
- Continuous extraction of pesticides from animal fats
- Elimination of traces of chlorinated solvents from drug preparations
- Extraction of phytonutrients (anti-microbial, antioxidant)
- Inclusion of drug active principles in cyclodextrins
- Impregnation of flavours onto cellulose support
Latest Equipment
- Extraction tools: extractor driven by supercritical CO22 and by pressurised hot solvent, extractor assisted by microwaves and ultrasounds, maceration tank, etc...
- Extract treatment tools: lyophiliser, atomiser, cryogenic grinder, etc...
- Analytical tools : GC-MS/MS, GC-MS, HPLC-ELSD, DAD and fluorescence, UPLC-MS/MS, ICP-MS, Optical ICP, etc.…
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