Herbs and Plant Extracts
Freeze Drying of Herbs and Extracts
Freeze drying is the preservation method of choice in the herbs and extracts industry. Unlike conventional hot air drying or spray drying, that will degrade heat sensitive compounds by high temperature, freeze drying removes moisture via sublimation at low temperature.
It protects delicate active constituents, vibrant colors, volatile oils and fresh aromas that lost in conventional drying. Yielding lightweight, shelf stable and easily rehydratable material that maintains a much closer resemblance to the fresh plant in terms of phytochemical profile and sensory qualities.
Freeze Dried Benefits
Freeze drying process starts from freezing the raw products, and then move them into an air-tight chamber, vacuumize the chamber to create negative pressure environment. Under vacuum, solid water (ice form) absorb heat from environment and sublimate directly to vapor phase.
Freeze drying is processed via sublimation from a frozen state under vacuum, no liquid water is generated, thus, freeze drying does not utilize high temperature to boil/remove the water. This completely prevents decomposition and oxidation that caused by high temperature, making it ideal for temperature-sensitive substances.
Freeze drying technology, water is removed from surface to bottom of products, while water is gone, the solid components that are originally dissolved in water are retained, these components support each other and forming porous structure. Whatever products are original leaves, buds or blooming, or extract to aqueous, high-viscosity pastes or slurries, freeze drying can handle them breezily, thoroughly dry without crusting or caking phenomenon.
Freeze dried products water contain typically less than 3%, light weight, easy to store and require no refrigeration and chemical preservation. The minimal moisture content restricts the growth of bacteria and activity of microorganisms, so that freeze dried products can store at room temperature for years.
The sponge-like structure result dried products can quick rehydration after soak in water or other solutions, as well as mix into other ingredients for further processing.
Drying Examples
Freeze drying is the most gentle and efficient way to dry herbs, extracts and formula medicines, it perfect reserve active ingredients and increase the formability and stability. Drying examples including but not limited to:
- Herbs and Extracts:
- Dry/fluid/thick extract as intermediate for manufacturing various modern TCM preparations, such as formula granules and capsules.
- Floral, Fruits and Extracts:
- Flowers, cannabis, tea extracts, grape seeds extracts, blueberry extracts etc.
- Probiotics and Fermented Extracts:
- Probiotic powder, enzymes, koso, fermented beverages or fruits.
- Glue and others:
- Donkey-hide or deer-horn glue, animal organs or extracts, fish skin extracts and marine collagen, seaweed and algae extracts etc.
Solution for Different Stages
From pilot test to commercial production, we provide freeze drying solutions for all stages.
Need solution for your specific product?
Contact us!
