Apparatus and method for rapid separation of small molecule compounds from traditional Chinese medicinal materials

Abstract

This invention discloses an apparatus and method for rapidly separating small molecule compounds from traditional Chinese medicinal materials, relating to the field of extraction and separation technology of traditional Chinese medicinal materials. The apparatus for rapidly separating small molecule compounds from traditional Chinese medicinal materials includes: a material tank, a filter screen, a delivery pipe, and a membrane module. The material tank is used to contain the medicinal materials and solvent, and a discharge port is provided at the bottom of the material tank; the filter screen is positioned above the discharge port; one end of the delivery pipe is connected to the discharge port of the material tank, and a pump is installed on the delivery pipe; the inlet of the membrane module is connected to the other end of the delivery pipe, and the retentate outlet of the membrane module is connected to the material tank; when the pump is turned on, it can pump the medicinal solution in the material tank to the membrane module. This invention can reduce production costs and operational difficulty, and improve production efficiency.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of extraction and separation technology of traditional Chinese medicine, and in particular to an apparatus and method for rapidly separating small molecule compounds from traditional Chinese medicine. Background Technology

[0002] Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) refers to substances used in the prevention, treatment, and diagnosis of diseases, and possessing rehabilitative and health-preserving effects, under the guidance of TCM theory. TCM mainly originates from natural medicines and their processed products, including plant-based, animal-based, and mineral-based medicines, as well as some chemical and biological products. For thousands of years, decoctions, primarily taken orally in water, have been the main route of TCM clinical medication. The water-extracted components of TCM are extremely complex, with generally low levels of active ingredients and molecular weights generally less than 1000. They often contain non-functional components such as starch, protein, mucus, pigments, gums, and pectin, which are key factors contributing to the large dosage, high hygroscopicity, and difficulty in preparing fast-acting dosage forms of TCM preparations. Many TCM products still exhibit characteristics of being large, dark, and coarse.

[0003] The production of extracts from traditional Chinese medicinal materials presents the following problems: First, the process is complex and requires various equipment such as extraction equipment, plate and frame filters (centrifuges), evaporators, membrane separation equipment, spray dryers, etc., resulting in high equipment investment. Second, the medicinal liquid contains a large number of ineffective components, such as pectin, starch and other high molecular weight substances, which cause the medicinal liquid to have high viscosity, making filtration difficult. In subsequent membrane separation operations, the membrane flux decreases rapidly, greatly reducing production efficiency. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide an apparatus and method for rapidly separating small molecule compounds from traditional Chinese medicinal materials, so as to solve the problems existing in the prior art, reduce production costs and operational difficulties, and improve production efficiency.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following solution:

[0006] This invention provides an apparatus for rapidly separating small molecule compounds from traditional Chinese medicinal materials, comprising:

[0007] A material tank is used to hold medicinal materials and solvents, and a discharge port is provided at the bottom of the material tank;

[0008] A filter screen, wherein the filter screen cover is disposed above the discharge port;

[0009] A conveying pipe, one end of which is connected to the outlet of the material tank, and a pump is installed on the conveying pipe; and

[0010] The membrane module has its inlet connected to the other end of the delivery pipe, its retentate outlet connected to the tank, and the pump, when in operation, can pump the liquid medicine in the tank to the membrane module.

[0011] Preferably, the retentate outlet of the membrane module is connected to a discharge pipe, the discharge pipe is provided with a discharge port, and the discharge pipe and the material tank are connected through a return pipe.

[0012] Preferably, the delivery pipe is provided with a temperature regulating component, which is used to regulate the temperature of the liquid medicine in the delivery pipe.

[0013] Preferably, a plurality of membrane modules are provided, and the plurality of membrane modules are connected to a conveying pipe and a discharge pipe.

[0014] Preferably, the filter screen is placed on the bottom surface of the tank and can cover the discharge port.

[0015] Preferably, the membrane assembly is detachable.

[0016] This invention also provides a method for rapidly separating small molecule compounds from traditional Chinese medicinal materials, utilizing the apparatus described above for rapidly separating small molecule compounds from traditional Chinese medicinal materials; the steps are as follows:

[0017] Step 1: Place the medicinal materials and solvent into the container;

[0018] Step 2: Turn on the device switch to begin the extraction and membrane treatment process.

[0019] Preferably, the retentate outlet of the membrane module is connected to a discharge pipe, the end of which is a discharge port, and the discharge pipe and the tank are connected through a return pipe; in step two, during the membrane treatment process, the discharge port is closed and the tank and the discharge pipe are connected; the process also includes step three: after the membrane treatment has been completed for a set time, the discharge port is opened and the connection between the tank and the discharge pipe is broken, and the retentate discharged from the discharge port is collected.

[0020] Preferably, the medicinal materials in step one are packaged powder or granules.

[0021] Preferably, the process also includes step four: collecting the permeate and concentrating it, then freeze-drying it into powder or spray-drying it to obtain the product.

[0022] The present invention achieves the following technical effects compared to the prior art:

[0023] The device provided by this invention couples the extraction and separation steps of traditional processes, integrating the extraction process and membrane separation process into one device, which greatly reduces production costs and operational difficulty, and improves production efficiency. In addition, the drug solution circulates in the device's circulation loop to achieve multiple extractions and separations to fully extract small molecule compounds and avoid waste. Furthermore, the circulatory extraction method can reduce the concentration polarization phenomenon of the membrane module. Attached Figure Description

[0024] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0025] Figure 1 This is a structural block diagram of an apparatus for rapidly separating small molecule compounds from traditional Chinese medicinal materials, provided in one embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of the middle filter screen.

[0027] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram showing the change in membrane flux of a membrane module when extracting the active ingredients from fenugreek seeds using a post-extraction membrane method.

[0028] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram showing the change in membrane flux of the membrane module when using the device provided by this invention to couple and extract and separate fenugreek seeds.

[0029] Figure 5 To Figure 4 A schematic diagram showing the change in membrane flux during the cleaning of the membrane module.

[0030] Figure 6 This diagram illustrates the comparison of DPPH free radical scavenging activity in products obtained from fenugreek seeds using different extraction methods.

[0031] Figure 7 This diagram illustrates the comparison of ABTS+ free radical scavenging activity in products obtained from fenugreek seeds using different extraction methods.

[0032] Figure 8 This diagram illustrates the change in membrane flux of a membrane module during the extraction process of effective components from water-extracted Gastrodia elata using the apparatus and method provided by this invention.

[0033] In the diagram: 1-Data tank; 2-Filter screen; 3-Temperature control component; 4-Membrane module; 5-Permeate outlet; 6-Discharge port; 7-Return pipe; 8-Pump; 9-Transfer pipe. Detailed Implementation

[0034] 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.

[0035] To make the above-mentioned objects, features and advantages of the present invention more apparent and understandable, the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0036] First, some technical terms involved in the embodiments of this application will be introduced.

[0037] Concentration polarization refers to the accumulation of solutes (ions or solutes of different molecular weights) on the membrane surface during membrane separation, resulting in a higher solute concentration on the membrane surface than in the bulk solution. This phenomenon leads to a decrease in the flux of solvent through the membrane.

[0038] This invention provides a device for rapidly separating small molecule compounds from traditional Chinese medicinal materials, such as... Figures 1-2 As shown, it includes: a material tank 1, a filter screen 2, a conveying pipe 9, and a membrane module 4.

[0039] The material tank 1 is used to contain medicinal materials and solvents. The bottom of the material tank 1 is provided with a discharge port. The medicinal materials are generally bagged powder or granular medicinal materials to facilitate the precipitation of their effective components. The components in the medicinal materials are released into the solvent to form a medicinal liquid. The medicinal liquid is discharged from the discharge port to the next stage. In this invention, the next stage refers to the temperature control stage or the extraction stage.

[0040] The filter screen 2 is placed above the discharge port. The filter screen 2 is used to prevent the medicinal material particles or bags from being discharged from the discharge port. In other words, the filter screen 2 is used to intercept the medicinal material particles or bags and retain them in the material tank 1.

[0041] One end of the conveying pipe 9 is connected to the outlet of the material tank 1, and a pump 8 is installed on the conveying pipe 9.

[0042] The inlet of membrane module 4 is connected to the other end of the delivery pipe 9. Membrane module 4 has a permeate outlet 5 and a retentate outlet. The retentate outlet of membrane module 4 is connected to the tank 1. Specifically, a discharge pipe can be connected to the retentate outlet of membrane module 4, and a discharge port 6 is provided on the discharge pipe. The discharge pipe and the tank 1 are connected through a return pipe 7. When pump 8 is turned on, it can pump the medicine in the tank 1 to the membrane module 4. The tank 1, delivery pipe 9, and membrane module 4 are connected in sequence to form a circulation loop, so as to facilitate multiple extractions and separations of the medicine.

[0043] The device provided by this invention couples the extraction and separation steps of traditional processes, integrating the extraction process and the membrane separation process into one device, which greatly reduces production costs and operational difficulty, and improves production efficiency. In addition, the drug solution circulates in the device's circulation loop to achieve multiple extractions and separations to fully extract the small molecule compounds and avoid waste. Furthermore, the circulatory extraction method can reduce the concentration polarization phenomenon of the membrane module 4.

[0044] The principle of reducing concentration polarization in membrane module 4:

[0045] When using the equipment of this invention for extraction and separation, small molecule compounds in the medicinal materials dissolve quickly and pass through membrane module 4 and are collected within a short time after entering the extract. These small molecule compounds are unlikely to accumulate on the membrane surface to form a concentration polarization layer. In contrast, large molecules dissolve slowly, with only a small amount dissolving within the limited extraction and separation time. Therefore, the thickness of the concentration polarization layer is reduced, indirectly affecting membrane adsorption and the degree of subsequent membrane fouling, thus mitigating membrane fouling.

[0046] In some embodiments, a temperature regulating component 3 is provided on the delivery pipe 9, which is used to regulate the temperature of the liquid medicine in the delivery pipe 9.

[0047] In some embodiments, a plurality of membrane modules 4 are provided, and the plurality of membrane modules 4 are connected to a delivery pipe 9 and a discharge pipe.

[0048] In this embodiment, the separation efficiency can be adjusted by changing the number of membrane modules 4.

[0049] In some embodiments, the filter screen 2 is placed on the bottom surface of the material tank 1 and can cover the discharge port; the filter screen 2 may also be referred to as a sieve plate.

[0050] In this embodiment, the filter screen 2 is used to place medicinal materials, and the filter screen 2 plays a supporting and intercepting role for the medicinal materials.

[0051] In some embodiments, membrane assembly 4 is detachable.

[0052] This embodiment facilitates timely replacement of faulty membrane module 4.

[0053] The pipeline in this invention is equipped with multiple on / off valves, such as... Figure 1 As shown.

[0054] This invention also provides a method for rapidly separating small molecule compounds from traditional Chinese medicinal materials, utilizing the apparatus for rapidly separating small molecule compounds from traditional Chinese medicinal materials as described in the above embodiments; the steps are as follows:

[0055] Step 1: Place the medicinal materials and solvent into container 1;

[0056] Step 2: Turn on the device switch to begin the extraction and membrane treatment process.

[0057] This embodiment possesses all the advantages of the aforementioned apparatus for rapidly separating small molecule compounds from traditional Chinese medicinal materials, and will not be elaborated upon further here.

[0058] In some embodiments, the retentate outlet of the membrane module 4 is connected to a discharge pipe, the end of which is a discharge port 6. The discharge pipe and the tank 1 are connected through a return pipe 7. In step two, during the membrane treatment process, the discharge port 6 is closed and the tank 1 and the discharge pipe are connected. The process also includes step three: after the membrane treatment has been completed for a set time, the discharge port 6 is opened and the connection between the tank 1 and the discharge pipe is broken, and the retentate discharged from the discharge port 6 is collected.

[0059] In some embodiments, the medicinal material in step one is a bagged powder or granular medicinal material.

[0060] In some embodiments, the process further includes step four: collecting the permeate and concentrating it, then freeze-drying it into powder or spray-drying it to obtain the product.

[0061] This invention provides an example of using fenugreek seeds as the medicinal material and an ethanol solution as the extract, the process steps of which are as follows:

[0062] 1. Crush the fenugreek seeds, weigh out 500g of powder and divide it evenly into two medicine bags, then tie the bags tightly.

[0063] 2. Place the sieve plate at the bottom of the material tank 1, then put in the medicine bag and add 15L of 50% ethanol solution;

[0064] 3. Turn on the device switch, maintain the pressure at 0.01 kPa, turn on the temperature regulating component 3, and maintain the temperature at 25℃;

[0065] 4. Open the permeate outlet 5 switch to collect the permeate;

[0066] 5. After extraction for 45 minutes, add 10 L of 50% ethanol solution for top washing;

[0067] 6. After 1.5 hours of extraction, turn off the device, open the retentate outlet switch, and collect the retentate;

[0068] 7. After concentrating the permeate, freeze-dry it into powder to obtain the product.

[0069] To better demonstrate the advantages of the device and method for rapid separation of small molecule compounds in traditional Chinese medicine provided by this invention, the inventors used fenugreek seeds as the medicinal material for extraction and conducted several tests. The first method was coupled extraction, which involved using the device and method provided by this invention to extract components from the medicinal material. The second method was traditional solvent extraction. The third method involved extracting the medicinal material using a separate extraction device followed by membrane separation.

[0070] The extracted product results are shown in the table below.

[0071] Table 1. Comparison of coupled extraction, traditional solvent extraction, and post-extraction membrane treatment - Extraction rate (mg / g medicinal material)

[0072]

[0073] Table 2 Comparison of coupled extraction with conventional solvent extraction and post-extraction membrane treatment - Extract purity (%)

[0074]

[0075] As can be seen from the two tables above, the extraction rate of secondary metabolites obtained by the coupled extraction method is basically comparable to or higher than that of traditional solvent extraction and post-extraction membrane extraction methods, and the purity of the extract is significantly improved compared with traditional methods.

[0076] like Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram showing the change in membrane flux of the membrane module when the third extraction method is used followed by membrane separation.

[0077] like Figure 4 This diagram illustrates the change in membrane flux of a membrane module when using the equipment provided by this invention to perform coupled extraction and separation of fenugreek seeds.

[0078] like Figure 5 To Figure 4 A schematic diagram showing the change in membrane flux during the cleaning of the membrane module.

[0079] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram comparing the DPPH free radical scavenging activity of products obtained by different methods, with ascorbic acid (VC), which has strong antioxidant activity, as a positive control.

[0080] Figure 7 This diagram illustrates the comparison of ABTS+ free radical scavenging activity in products obtained using different methods, with ascorbic acid (VC), which has strong antioxidant activity, serving as a positive control.

[0081] The inventors also used the apparatus and method provided by this invention to extract the effective components from water-extracted Gastrodia elata. A schematic diagram illustrating the changes in membrane flux of the membrane module during the extraction process is shown below. Figure 8 As shown.

[0082] The extracted product results are shown in the table below.

[0083] Table 1. Comparison of coupled extraction, traditional solvent extraction, and post-extraction membrane treatment - Extraction rate (mg / g medicinal material)

[0084]

[0085] Table 2 Comparison of coupled extraction and conventional solvent extraction with post-extraction membrane permeation - Purity (%)

[0086]

[0087] As shown in Tables 1 and 2, the extraction rate and purity of the effective components obtained from Gastrodia elata using this process are higher than those obtained using traditional methods. Therefore, the coupled extraction process holds promise for the separation and purification of various traditional Chinese medicine products.

[0088] Specific examples have been used to illustrate the principles and implementation methods of this invention. The descriptions of the above embodiments are only for the purpose of helping to understand the method and core ideas of this invention. Furthermore, those skilled in the art will recognize that, based on the ideas of this invention, there will be changes in the specific implementation methods and application scope. Therefore, the content of this specification should not be construed as a limitation of this invention.

Claims

1. A method for rapidly separating small molecule compounds from traditional Chinese medicinal materials, characterized in that: A device for the rapid separation of small molecule compounds from traditional Chinese medicinal materials; the device includes: A material tank is used to hold medicinal materials and solvents, and a discharge port is provided at the bottom of the material tank; A filter screen is provided above the discharge port to prevent medicinal material particles or bags from being discharged from the discharge port. A conveying pipe, one end of which is connected to the outlet of the material tank, and a pump is installed on the conveying pipe; and The membrane module has its inlet connected to the other end of the delivery pipe. Of the retentate outlet and permeate outlet of the membrane module, only the retentate outlet is connected to the feed tank. When the pump is turned on, it can pump the drug solution in the feed tank to the membrane module. A temperature regulating component is provided on the delivery pipe to regulate the temperature of the drug solution in the delivery pipe. The steps are as follows: Step 1: Place the medicinal materials and solvent into the container; Step 2: Turn on the device switch to begin the extraction and membrane treatment process; The retentate outlet of the membrane module is connected to a discharge pipe, the end of which is a discharge port. The discharge pipe and the tank are connected through a return pipe. In step two, during the membrane treatment process, the discharge port is closed and the tank and the discharge pipe are connected. Step three is also included: after the membrane treatment has been completed for a set time, the discharge port is opened and the connection between the tank and the discharge pipe is broken, and the retentate discharged from the discharge port is collected.

2. The method for rapidly separating small molecule compounds from traditional Chinese medicinal materials according to claim 1, characterized in that: The facility is provided with a plurality of membrane modules, which are connected to a delivery pipe and a discharge pipe.

3. The method for rapidly separating small molecule compounds from traditional Chinese medicinal materials according to claim 1, characterized in that: The filter screen is placed on the bottom surface of the tank and can cover the discharge port.

4. The method for rapidly separating small molecule compounds from traditional Chinese medicinal materials according to claim 1, characterized in that: The membrane module is detachable.

5. The method for rapid separation of small molecule compounds from traditional Chinese medicinal materials according to claim 1, characterized in that: The medicinal materials in step one are packaged powder or granules.

6. The method for rapidly separating small molecule compounds from traditional Chinese medicinal materials according to claim 5, characterized in that: It also includes step four: collecting the permeate and concentrating it, then freeze-drying it into powder or spray-drying it to obtain the product.

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