Longxi radix astragali foot bath pill for moistening skin and preparation method thereof

Abstract

The invention belongs to the technical field of health care product preparation, and particularly relates to a Longxi astragalus membranaceus foot gloss skin-moistening foot bath pill and a preparation method thereof, and the Longxi astragalus membranaceus foot gloss skin-moistening foot bath pill comprises the following raw materials: astragalus membranaceus extract, angelica sinensis extract, sophora flavescens extract, golden larch bark extract, improved foot gloss powder, glycerol and menthol. According to the invention, the radix astragali extract, the angelica sinensis extract, the radix sophorae flavescentis extract, the golden larch bark extract and the improved foot polish powder are prepared from 10-15% of salicylic acid, 8-12% of benzoic acid and 5-10% of radix sophorae flavescentis extract, the dosage of salicylic acid and benzoic acid is reduced to the lowest interval in the industry, the chemical irritation is reduced, and the clinical allergy rate is reduced from 15-20% to less than 0.6%; the sophora flavescens extract partially replaces a chemical bactericide, so that the broad-spectrum antibacterial property is improved, the defect that a traditional Chinese medicine product cannot quickly inhibit bacteria is overcome, and natural and chemical synergistic sterilization is realized; the quaternary traditional Chinese medicine components provide fat-soluble and water-soluble active matters, synchronously soften cutin and repair a barrier, and realize cutin softening and skin moistening balance.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of health product preparation technology, specifically relating to Longxi Astragalus Foot Bath Pills and their preparation method. Background Technology

[0002] Foot bath pills are a convenient care product designed specifically for foot baths. By concentrating various active ingredients into solid or semi-solid forms (mostly pills), they quickly dissolve in water and release active substances, thus enhancing the health benefits of foot baths.

[0003] In existing technologies, traditional foot care products rely on high concentrations of chemical bactericides, which disrupt the skin's slightly acidic environment, leading to excessive exfoliation by salicylic acid, decreased skin barrier function, and exacerbation of cracked heels. Benzoic acid is a strong allergen, with clinical statistics showing that 15-20% of users experience erythema, itching, or contact dermatitis, and it is especially contraindicated for sensitive groups such as diabetic patients. Furthermore, indiscriminate sterilization destroys the symbiotic flora of the feet, which increases the risk of fungal recurrence.

[0004] Existing products mostly use single Chinese herbal ingredients, such as pure mugwort or ginger extract, lacking multi-target compatibility, resulting in insufficient antibacterial power. Core antifungal ingredients such as Sophora flavescens and Pseudolarix amabilis are missing, and the diameter of the inhibition zone against Trichophyton rubrum is only 5-8mm, which cannot quickly control the spread of athlete's foot. Moreover, the efficacy is singular, focusing only on warming or moisturizing, neglecting the synergistic needs of sterilization, repair, and circulation promotion, and the improvement cycle for dryness and cracking is as long as 4-8 weeks. At the same time, the utilization rate of ingredients is low. Water decoction or crude extraction processes result in the yield of active ingredients such as matrine being less than 50%, resulting in insufficient actual efficacy. Summary of the Invention

[0005] To address the aforementioned problems in the existing technology, this invention provides Longxi Astragalus Foot Bath Pills and their preparation method, aiming to solve the technical problems of traditional foot bath powder relying on high concentrations of chemical bactericides, resulting in high allergy rates; and traditional Chinese medicine foot bath products lacking scientific formulation, failing to simultaneously achieve rapid sterilization and skin repair.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution: a Longxi Astragalus Foot Bath Pill, comprising the following raw materials: Astragalus extract, Angelica extract, Sophora flavescens extract, Pseudolarix amabilis bark extract, modified foot bath powder, glycerin, and menthol; composed of the following parts by weight: Astragalus extract 23 to 27 parts, Angelica extract 18 to 22 parts, Sophora flavescens extract 13 to 17 parts, Pseudolarix amabilis bark extract 8 to 12 parts, modified foot bath powder 32 to 38 parts, glycerin 7 to 9 parts, and menthol 2.5 to 3.5 parts.

[0007] Furthermore, the improved foot powder includes the following raw materials: salicylic acid, benzoic acid, boric acid, sophora flavescens extract and talc; the improved foot powder is composed of the following components in mass percentage: salicylic acid is 10% to 15%, benzoic acid is 8% to 12%, boric acid is 5%, sophora flavescens extract is 5% to 10%, and talc is added to 100%.

[0008] Furthermore, the Astragalus extract is prepared by supercritical CO2 extraction, and the content of astragaloside A is greater than or equal to 1.5%; the Pseudolarix amabilis bark extract is prepared by supercritical CO2 extraction, and the content of pine alkaloid is greater than or equal to 0.5%.

[0009] Furthermore, the Angelica sinensis extract is prepared by reflux extraction with 60 to 80% ethanol, and the content of Angelica sinensis polysaccharide is greater than or equal to 10%; the Sophora flavescens extract is prepared by decoction extraction, and the content of matrine is greater than or equal to 0.8%.

[0010] The preparation method of Longxi Astragalus Foot Bath Pills includes the following steps: Step 1: Preparation of Astragalus extract: Supercritical CO2 extraction is used, with a pressure of 25 to 30 MPa, a temperature of 35 to 45 degrees Celsius, and an extraction time of 1.5 to 2.5 hours; Step 2: Preparation of Pseudolarix amabilis bark extract: Supercritical CO2 extraction is used, with a pressure of 28 to 32 MPa, a temperature of 30 to 40 degrees Celsius, and an extraction time of 1 to 2 hours.

[0011] Furthermore, it also includes: Step 3: Preparation of Angelica sinensis extract: reflux extraction with 60 to 80% ethanol 2 to 3 times, 1.5 to 2.5 hours each time; Step 4: Preparation of Sophora flavescens extract: decoction extraction with water 2 times, 1.5 to 2.5 hours each time.

[0012] Furthermore, the preparation of the improved foot powder includes mixing salicylic acid, benzoic acid, boric acid and Sophora flavescens extract, wherein the extract is passed through an 80 to 120 mesh sieve.

[0013] Furthermore, the foot bath pill forming step includes: mixing astragalus extract, angelica extract, sophora flavescens extract, euphorbia pekinensis bark extract, modified foot powder, glycerin, menthol and water-soluble starch, wherein the amount of water-soluble starch added is 3 to 7% of the total mass.

[0014] Furthermore, the mixture is pressed into spherical pellets with a diameter of 1.5 to 2.5 cm.

[0015] Furthermore, the mixture is pressed into spherical pellets with a diameter of 1.5 to 2.5 cm.

[0016] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are:

[0017] 1. In this invention, foot powder is improved by using extracts of Astragalus membranaceus, Angelica sinensis, Sophora flavescens, and Pseudolarix amabilis. The powder contains 10-15% salicylic acid, 8-12% benzoic acid, and 5-10% Sophora flavescens extract. The dosage of salicylic acid and benzoic acid is reduced to the lowest level in the industry, reducing chemical irritation and lowering the clinical allergy rate from 15-20% to less than 0.6%. Sophora flavescens extract partially replaces chemical bactericides, enhancing broad-spectrum antibacterial activity and solving the defect of traditional Chinese medicine products being unable to quickly inhibit bacteria, achieving synergistic bactericidal effects from natural and chemical agents. The four-element traditional Chinese medicine components provide fat-soluble and water-soluble active ingredients, simultaneously softening the stratum corneum and repairing the skin barrier, achieving stratum corneum softening and skin moisturizing balance.

[0018] 2. In existing technologies, traditional Chinese medicine foot bath products suffer from unstable efficacy due to rough extraction processes and large fluctuations in the content of active ingredients. In this invention, processes such as supercritical CO2 extraction and ethanol reflux are used to lock in the lower limit of active ingredients, ensuring that each batch of products contains: microcirculation promoting substances greater than or equal to 1.5%, achieving an 86% increase in the water content of the stratum corneum of the feet; natural bactericides greater than 1.3%, achieving a significant increase in fungal clearance rate; and the lower limit of content prevents the addition of ineffective extracts, solving the pain point of market products containing Chinese medicine but ineffective, thereby avoiding ineffective additions.

[0019] 3. Existing technologies lack optimized extraction processes. For example, high-temperature decoction can damage heat-sensitive components, and foot bath pills are prone to clumping and slow dissolution. In this invention, heat-sensitive active ingredients are preserved through targeted extraction of Astragalus membranaceus and Pseudolarix amabilis bark. The mixture is sieved through an 80-120 mesh screen and vacuum dried, which greatly increases the dissolution rate of the pills. Supercritical CO2 low-temperature extraction avoids the thermal decomposition of astragaloside A and pine alkaloids, reducing the loss rate by 25% compared to decoction with water, and efficiently preserving active ingredients. The sieving process ensures particle uniformity, avoiding localized high-concentration irritation caused by clumping, thereby rapidly releasing the medicinal effect. With a water content of less than or equal to 5% and a pill diameter of 1.5 to 2.5 cm, the pills can be completely dissolved in water at 40 degrees Celsius in less than or equal to 3 minutes, improving the user experience. Vacuum drying blocks oxidation reactions, and the active ingredient retention rate is high after 18 months of storage at room temperature, enhancing stability. Attached Figure Description

[0020] The accompanying drawings are provided to further illustrate the invention and form part of the specification. They are used in conjunction with embodiments of the invention to explain the invention and do not constitute a limitation thereof. In the drawings:

[0021] Figure 1 This is a flowchart of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0022] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0023] Example 1:

[0024] Please see Figure 1 This embodiment provides the following technical solution: a Longxi Astragalus Foot Bath Pill, comprising the following raw materials: Astragalus extract, Angelica extract, Sophora flavescens extract, Pseudolarix amabilis bark extract, modified foot bath powder, glycerin, and menthol; composed of the following parts by weight: Astragalus extract 23 to 27 parts, Angelica extract 18 to 22 parts, Sophora flavescens extract 13 to 17 parts, Pseudolarix amabilis bark extract 8 to 12 parts, modified foot bath powder 32 to 38 parts, glycerin 7 to 9 parts, and menthol 2.5 to 3.5 parts. The modified foot bath powder comprises the following raw materials: salicylic acid, benzoic acid, boric acid, Sophora flavescens extract, and talc; the modified foot bath powder is composed of the following components by mass percentage: salicylic acid 10% to 15%, benzoic acid 8% to 12%, boric acid 5%, Sophora flavescens extract 5% to 10%, and talc to bring the total to 100%.

[0025] Specifically, Astragalus membranaceus extract was prepared by supercritical CO2 extraction at an extraction pressure of 25 to 30 MPa and a temperature of 35 to 45 degrees Celsius, with an astragaloside A content of ≥1.5%; Angelica sinensis extract was prepared by reflux extraction with 60 to 80% ethanol, with 2 to 3 extractions, each lasting 1.5 to 2.5 hours, with an Angelica sinensis polysaccharide content of ≥10%; Sophora flavescens extract was prepared by decoction extraction, with 2 extractions, each lasting 1.5 to 2.5 hours, with a matrine content of ≥0.8%; and Pseudolarix amabilis bark extract was prepared by supercritical CO2 extraction at an extraction pressure of 28 to 32 MPa and a temperature of 30 to 45 degrees Celsius, with an astragaloside A content of ≥1.5%. The modified foot powder is prepared by mixing salicylic acid, benzoic acid, boric acid, and matrine (≥0.8%) in a specific ratio at 40 degrees Celsius; passing the mixture through an 80-120 mesh sieve to ensure particle uniformity with a particle size of ≤180μm; adding talc to 100% of the total volume; using food-grade glycerin with a purity of ≥99%; and using naturally extracted menthol with a purity of ≥98%.

[0026] By limiting the dosage of salicylic acid to 10-15% and benzoic acid to 8-12%, the clinical allergy rate is reduced from 15-20% to less than or equal to 0.6%, making it suitable for sensitive individuals. The foot powder contains 5-10% Sophora flavescens extract; the fungal clearance rate is 92%, compensating for the efficacy gap caused by the reduction in chemical bactericide dosage. 7-9 parts glycerin form a moisturizing film, combined with the four-element traditional Chinese medicine components; the moisture content of the stratum corneum of the feet is increased to 28%, and the area of ​​chapped skin is reduced by 75%.

[0027] Astragalus extract was prepared by supercritical CO2 extraction, with an astragaloside A content of ≥1.5%; Pseudolarix bark extract was prepared by supercritical CO2 extraction, with a matrine content of ≥0.5%. Angelica extract was prepared by reflux extraction with 60-80% ethanol, with an angelica polysaccharide content of ≥10%; Sophora flavescens extract was prepared by decoction extraction, with a matrine content of ≥0.8%.

[0028] Specifically, the active ingredient content meets the following requirements: Astragalus membranaceus extract is extracted by supercritical CO2 extraction at a pressure of 25 to 30 MPa and a temperature of 35 to 45 degrees Celsius, with an astragaloside A content of ≥1.5%; Angelica sinensis extract is extracted by reflux extraction with 60 to 80% ethanol at a material-to-liquid ratio of 1:10, with an Angelica sinensis polysaccharide content of ≥10%; Sophora flavescens extract is extracted by decoction, after boiling and then simmering for 1.5 to 2.5 hours, with a matrine content of ≥0.8%; Pseudolarix amabilis bark extract is extracted by supercritical CO2 extraction at a pressure of 28 to 32 MPa and a temperature of 30 to 40 degrees Celsius, with a pine alkaloid content of ≥0.5%.

[0029] Minimum content of core active ingredients is limited; astragaloside A is ≥1.5% to maintain microcirculation promotion; matrine and pine alkaloids are ≥1.3% to maintain a fungal clearance rate of ≥92%. Quantitative standards for active ingredients prevent the inclusion of ineffective extracts and reduce batch-to-batch efficacy fluctuations.

[0030] The preparation method of Longxi Astragalus Foot Bath Pills includes the following steps: Step 1: Preparation of Astragalus extract: Supercritical CO2 extraction is used at a pressure of 25 to 30 MPa, a temperature of 35 to 45 degrees Celsius, and an extraction time of 1.5 to 2.5 hours; Step 2: Preparation of Pseudolarix amabilis bark extract: Supercritical CO2 extraction is used at a pressure of 28 to 32 MPa, a temperature of 30 to 40 degrees Celsius, and an extraction time of 1 to 2 hours. It also includes: Step 3: Preparation of Angelica sinensis extract: Reflux extraction with 60 to 80% ethanol 2 to 3 times, each time for 1.5 to 2.5 hours; Step 4: Preparation of Sophora flavescens extract: Decoction extraction with water is used twice, each time for 1.5 to 2.5 hours.

[0031] Specifically, Astragalus membranaceus extract was extracted using supercritical CO2 extraction at a pressure of 25 to 30 MPa, a temperature of 35 to 45 degrees Celsius, and a time of 1.5 to 2.5 hours; Pseudolarix amabilis bark extract was extracted using supercritical CO2 extraction at a pressure of 28 to 32 MPa, a temperature of 30 to 40 degrees Celsius, and a time of 1 to 2 hours; Angelica sinensis extract was extracted by reflux extraction with 60 to 80% ethanol 2 to 3 times, each time for 1.5 to 2.5 hours; Sophora flavescens extract was extracted by decoction extraction twice, each time for 1.5 to 2.5 hours. The improved foot powder was prepared by mixing salicylic acid, benzoic acid, boric acid, and Sophora flavescens extract and then passing the mixture through an 80 to 120 mesh sieve.

[0032] Supercritical CO2 low-temperature extraction: Astragaloside A yield ≥95%; Pseudolarix amabilis yield ≥90%. Reflux extraction of Angelica sinensis with 60-80% ethanol yielded Angelica sinensis polysaccharide yield ≥85% and increased the dissolution rate of fat-soluble active ingredients by 40%.

[0033] The preparation of the improved foot bath powder includes mixing salicylic acid, benzoic acid, boric acid, and Sophora flavescens extract, and passing the extract through an 80-120 mesh sieve. The foot bath pill forming process includes mixing Astragalus membranaceus extract, Angelica sinensis extract, Sophora flavescens extract, Pseudolarix amabilis bark extract, the improved foot bath powder, glycerin, menthol, and water-soluble starch, with the water-soluble starch added at 3-7% of the total mass. The mixture is then pressed into spherical pills with a diameter of 1.5-2.5 cm.

[0034] Specifically, the mixing process involves combining Astragalus membranaceus extract, Angelica sinensis extract, Sophora flavescens extract, Pseudolarix amabilis bark extract, modified foot powder, glycerin, menthol, and water-soluble starch. The water-soluble starch is added at 3-7% of the total mass, and the mixing speed is 40-60 rpm for 15 minutes. The pelleting process uses a rotary pelleting machine at a pressure of 0.2-0.5 MPa to produce spherical pellets with a diameter of 1.5-2.5 cm. The drying process involves vacuum drying at a temperature of 40-60 degrees Celsius and a vacuum degree of 0.08-0.1 MPa until the moisture content is less than or equal to 5%.

[0035] Passed through an 80-120 mesh sieve, with a moisture content of ≤5%; the time required for complete dissolution in water at 40°C is significantly reduced. Vacuum drying blocks oxidation; after 18 months of storage at room temperature, the retention rate of active ingredients is ≥95%. The pill diameter is 1.5-2.5 cm; the single-dose dosage is standardized to avoid dosage errors.

[0036] Example 2:

[0037] Please see Figure 1 In this embodiment, the staff used the method disclosed in the present invention in a pharmaceutical factory workshop;

[0038] 100 kg of five-year-old Astragalus membranaceus from Longxi was put into a QL-1000 supercritical extraction device. The pressure was set at 28 MPa and the temperature at 40 degrees Celsius. After extraction for 2 hours, 22 kg of Astragalus membranaceus extract was obtained (HPLC analysis showed that the content of astragaloside A was 1.52%). 80 kg of Pseudolarix amabilis bark was extracted at 30 MPa and 35 degrees Celsius for 1.5 hours to obtain 7 kg of extract (containing 0.53% pine alkaloids). 60 kg of Angelica sinensis was extracted twice by reflux with 70% ethanol (material-to-liquid ratio 1:10, 2 hours each time). After concentration and drying, 15 kg of Angelica sinensis extract (containing 10.8% polysaccharide) was obtained. 50 kg of Sophora flavescens was decocted twice in water (boiling and simmering for 2 hours each time). After concentration, 8 kg of extract (containing 0.82% matrine) was obtained.

[0039] The above extracts were mixed with a modified foot powder—composed of 12% salicylic acid, 10% benzoic acid, 5% boric acid, 8% sophora flavescens extract, and 65% talc (all sieved through a 100-mesh sieve)—and 5% water-soluble starch, 8% food-grade glycerin, and 3% menthol were added. The mixture was stirred at 40 rpm for 15 minutes. The mixture was then fed into a QL-2000 rotary pellet mill (pressure 0.3 MPa) and pressed into 2 cm diameter pellets. These pellets were then vacuum-dried at 50°C (vacuum degree -0.09 MPa) until the moisture content reached 4.5%. Quality inspection showed that the pellets completely dissolved in 40°C water within 150 seconds; after two weeks of clinical use in 300 patients with athlete's foot, the fungal clearance rate reached 93.7%, and the allergy rate in the diabetic group was only 0.33%; the improvement rate of cracked heels was 86%, and the moisture content of the stratum corneum increased from 12% to 29%.

[0040] The working principle of this invention is as follows: Water-soluble starch forms hydrophilic channels upon contact with water. Combined with the structural characteristics of the pills having a water content of less than or equal to 5% and a particle size of 1.5-2.5 cm, the disintegration time in water at 40 degrees Celsius is less than or equal to 3 minutes. Salicylic acid and benzoic acid, as small molecule acids, preferentially diffuse to the stratum corneum, dissolving intercellular desmosomes to soften the keratin structure. Matrine and pine alkaloids insert into the phospholipid bilayer of microbial cell membranes through hydrophobic interactions, enhancing the destructive effect of salicylic acid / benzoic acid on chitin synthesis in fungal cell walls. Glycerin forms a hydrogen bond network to prolong the retention time of active ingredients. At the same time, Angelica polysaccharide binds to skin keratin with β-1,4-glycosidic bonds, filling the keratin gaps caused by salicylic acid. When menthol vaporizes on the skin surface, it absorbs heat, triggering local capillary dilation. Astragaloside A carries water through its cyclic astragalool structure, increasing the osmotic pressure of microvascular endothelial tissue fluid, thus jointly promoting microcirculation in the feet.

[0041] Finally, it should be noted that the above descriptions are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art can still modify the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments or make equivalent substitutions for some of the technical features. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A Longxi Astragalus Foot Bath Pill, characterized in that: Including the following raw materials: Astragalus extract, Angelica sinensis extract, Sophora flavescens extract, Pseudolarix amabilis bark extract, modified foot powder, glycerin and menthol; It is composed of the following raw materials in parts by weight: 23 to 27 parts of Astragalus membranaceus extract, 18 to 22 parts of Angelica sinensis extract, 13 to 17 parts of Sophora flavescens extract, 8 to 12 parts of Pseudolarix amabilis bark extract, 32 to 38 parts of modified foot powder, 7 to 9 parts of glycerin, and 2.5 to 3.5 parts of menthol.

2. The Longxi Astragalus Foot Bath Pills according to claim 1, characterized in that: The improved foot powder comprises the following raw materials: Salicylic acid, benzoic acid, boric acid, Sophora flavescens extract and talc; The improved foot powder is composed of the following components by weight percentage: 10 to 15% salicylic acid, 8 to 12% benzoic acid, 5% boric acid, 5 to 10% sophora flavescens extract, and talc to bring the total to 100%.

3. The Longxi Astragalus Foot Bath Pills according to claim 1, characterized in that: The Astragalus extract was prepared by supercritical CO2 extraction, and the content of astragaloside A was greater than or equal to 1.5%; the Pseudolarix bark extract was prepared by supercritical CO2 extraction, and the content of pine alkaloid was greater than or equal to 0.5%.

4. The Longxi Astragalus Foot Bath Pills according to claim 1, characterized in that: The Angelica sinensis extract is prepared by reflux extraction with 60 to 80% ethanol, and the content of Angelica sinensis polysaccharide is greater than or equal to 10%; the Sophora flavescens extract is prepared by decoction extraction, and the content of matrine is greater than or equal to 0.8%.

5. A method for preparing foot bath pills as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: Step 1: Preparation of Astragalus extract: Supercritical CO2 extraction is used at a pressure of 25 to 30 MPa, a temperature of 35 to 45 degrees Celsius, and an extraction time of 1.5 to 2.5 hours. Step 2: Preparation of Pseudolarix amabilis bark extract: Supercritical CO2 extraction is used at a pressure of 28 to 32 MPa, a temperature of 30 to 40 degrees Celsius, and an extraction time of 1 to 2 hours.

6. The method for preparing Longxi Astragalus Foot Bath Pills according to claim 5, characterized in that: Also includes: Step 3: Preparation of Angelica extract: Extract by reflux with 60 to 80% ethanol 2 to 3 times, each time for 1.5 to 2.5 hours; Step 4: Preparation of Sophora flavescens extract: Extract by boiling in water twice, each time for 1.5 to 2.5 hours.

7. The method for preparing Longxi Astragalus Foot Bath Pills according to claim 5, characterized in that: The preparation of the improved foot powder includes mixing salicylic acid, benzoic acid, boric acid and Sophora flavescens extract, wherein the extract is passed through an 80 to 120 mesh sieve.

8. The method for preparing Longxi Astragalus Foot Bath Pills according to claim 5, characterized in that: The steps involved in forming foot bath pills include: Astragalus extract, Angelica extract, Sophora flavescens extract, Pseudolarix amabilis bark extract, modified foot powder, glycerin, menthol, and water-soluble starch are mixed, with the amount of water-soluble starch added being 3 to 7% of the total mass.

9. The method for preparing Longxi Astragalus Foot Bath Pills according to claim 8, characterized in that: The mixture is pressed into spherical pellets with a diameter of 1.5 to 2.5 cm.

10. The method for preparing Longxi Astragalus Foot Bath Pills according to claim 9, characterized in that: The mixture is pressed into spherical pellets with a diameter of 1.5 to 2.5 cm.

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