Natural antioxidants are usually extracted from fruits by using a solvent extraction method. While this is the most commonly used practice, there are other methods and techniques that can be used when extracting antioxidant from fruits.
But why do antioxidants need to be extracted in the first place?
Antioxidants from fruits aren’t only consumed raw but are used as an additive in several cosmetic products and supplements. Antioxidant extraction is a process that helps remove key compounds from fruits and plants so that they can be consumed in alternative ways while still providing the same health benefits.
Read on to learn more about antioxidant extraction and the different methods that manufacturers use.
What is an Antioxidant?
Antioxidants are natural substances that fight harmful compounds in your body. They can be found in vitamin A, E, and C, as well as other sources found in plants and fruits. These antioxidants can be consumed by eating the fruits and vegetables that contain them, or can be taken in the form of vitamins and other products.
Antioxidants have several health benefits, such as:
- Reducing the risk of several diseases
- Reducing inflammation
- Help fight off bacterial infections
What Methods Can You Use to Extract Antioxidant?
In order to remove the antioxidants from fruits and plants and put them into supplements, they must first be extracted. There are a few different antioxidant extraction methods that manufacturers can choose from when it comes to plant and fruit extraction, but most require the use of a solvent.
A solvent is a chemical substance (normally a liquid) that helps remove compounds from other compounds. Here are some of the most popular techniques for antioxidant extraction:
- Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction = This is a quick and productive extraction technique that uses ultrasound to create increased movement of the solvents being used, allowing for the extraction process to be accelerated.
- Microwave-Assisted Extraction = In this process, microwave energy allows for a solvent to be heated up. When this is done, absorption, cell disruption, and conversion occur, extracting the antioxidants.
- High-Pressure Assisted Extraction = This technique extracts active ingredients from plants or fruits using high pressure and is fast and effective.
The effectiveness of any of the above processes depends on a few different factors, such as:
- Temperature
- Length of process
- Cost
- Solubility
- Safety
- Polarity of solvent
- Measurements/ ratios
Looking for Industrial-Grade Solvents?
Extraction Grade Solvents offers high quality solvents that will meet any of your extraction needs! We are available to discuss any custom solutions you may need or have inquiries about. We have specialized in the industry for several years and are known to be reliable and consistent with the products we distribute. Feel free to get in touch with us today, simply click here! We can’t wait to speak with you!