A spray-dried instant granule tea made from Codonopsis pilosula and its preparation method

Abstract

This invention discloses a spray-dried, instant-dissolving granule tea made from Codonopsis pilosula and its preparation method, belonging to the field of tea preparation technology. This invention uses Codonopsis pilosula as the principal ingredient, primarily focusing on invigorating qi and strengthening the spleen, promoting body fluid production and nourishing blood, thus establishing the core health-preserving and nourishing effects of the tea. Poria cocos and Polygonatum odoratum are used as assistant ingredients; Poria cocos invigorates the spleen and removes dampness, while Polygonatum odoratum nourishes yin and moistens dryness, balancing the warming and tonifying effects. These two ingredients synergistically assist the principal ingredient in enhancing its efficacy and harmonizing its properties. Tangerine peel is used as an adjuvant ingredient, and mulberry leaf as a guiding ingredient, forming a complementary effect and progressive flavor profile of five medicinal and edible ingredients. The principal, assistant, adjuvant, and guiding ingredients are clearly defined and synergistically combined. This invention employs a three-stage variable-temperature spray process, completely solving the problem of Codonopsis pilosula high-sugar extract sticking and charring, eliminating the need for additional anti-sticking agents. It also avoids the damage of high temperatures to active ingredients. All process steps can be industrialized using existing Chinese medicine spray drying and extraction equipment, eliminating the need for customized special equipment. The process parameters are highly controllable and suitable for mass production.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of tea preparation technology, specifically relating to a spray-dried instant granule tea made from Codonopsis pilosula and its preparation method. Background Technology

[0002] Codonopsis pilosula, a traditional Chinese medicine, is a tonic, primarily used to tonify the spleen and lungs, promote the production of body fluids, and replenish blood. However, directly steeping Codonopsis pilosula in water does not allow for the full absorption of its nutrients. Furthermore, the presence of particulate matter in the water during steeping diminishes the palatability. Therefore, designing a process for producing instant Codonopsis pilosula granules for tea is essential. However, current methods for preparing Codonopsis pilosula teas generally face the following challenges: 1. Low retention rate of effective ingredients: The traditional single high-temperature water decoction + high-temperature spray drying process easily damages the heat-sensitive active ingredients of Codonopsis pilosula, resulting in a large loss of Codonopsis pilosula polysaccharides, Codonopsis pilosula saponins and volatile flavor substances. The efficacy and original flavor of the finished product are seriously lost, and polysaccharides and small molecule active ingredients cannot be retained efficiently at the same time.

[0003] 2. Monotonous taste and flavor, poor compatibility: Pure Codonopsis pilosula tea has a slightly sweet taste with an earthy flavor and a dry taste, which makes it less acceptable to the general public. Current technologies often improve the taste by adding flavorings and sweeteners, which poses a risk of additive residues and cannot achieve the natural flavor harmony of food and medicine.

[0004] 3. Significant defects in spray drying process: Codonopsis pilosula extract has high sugar content and high viscosity. Conventional spray drying is prone to problems such as tower wall sticking and material coking, resulting in low product yield and poor batch stability. At the same time, traditional fixed drying parameters cannot be adapted to the characteristics of Codonopsis pilosula material, which can easily lead to problems such as hollow particles, high dust content, and low strength.

[0005] 4. The contradiction between instant solubility and storage stability: The industry generally adds conventional excipients such as maltodextrin and sucrose to improve the formability. However, these excipients are highly hygroscopic and have low glass transition temperatures. The finished product is prone to clumping and moisture absorption during long-term storage. Moreover, insoluble suspended matter is likely to appear when brewed at high temperatures, which does not meet the quality standards of instant tea beverages. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a spray-dried instant granule tea made from Codonopsis pilosula and its preparation method, so as to solve the technical problems of low active ingredients and poor taste in Codonopsis pilosula tea.

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution adopted by the present invention is as follows: a spray-dried instant granule tea made from Codonopsis pilosula is provided, the raw materials used by way of mass parts include: 70-80 parts of Codonopsis pilosula extract, 30-40 parts of Poria cocos extract, 20-30 parts of Polygonatum odoratum extract, 10-20 parts of Citrus reticulata extract, 10-15 parts of Morus alba leaf extract, 5-10 parts of resistant dextrin, 2-3 parts of microcrystalline cellulose and 1-2 parts of fructooligosaccharides.

[0008] Based on the above technical solution, the present invention can be further improved as follows: Furthermore, the raw materials used, by weight, include: 75 parts Codonopsis pilosula extract, 35 parts Poria cocos extract, 25 parts Polygonatum odoratum extract, 15 parts Citrus reticulata extract, 12 parts Morus alba leaf extract, 7 parts resistant dextrin, 2 parts microcrystalline cellulose, and 1 part fructooligosaccharide.

[0009] Furthermore, employing a segmented extraction process, the preparation steps of Codonopsis pilosula extract include: A1. Codonopsis pilosula is washed, dried, and pulverized to obtain coarse powder. A2. Mix the crude powder of Codonopsis pilosula with water at a ratio of 1:15-20, and extract with ultrasound at 50-55℃ and 280-320W for 40-60 minutes. The volatile flavor substances and heat-sensitive Codonopsis pilosula saponins are dissolved at low temperature, which prevents the thermal degradation of active ingredients from the source and solves the defect of traditional high-temperature decoction that destroys heat-sensitive components. Separate to obtain filter residue and primary filtrate. A3. Mix the filter residue and water at a material-to-liquid ratio of 1:10-15, then add 0.1-0.3wt% of compound enzyme, and enzymatically hydrolyze at 50-60℃ for 30-60 minutes to destroy the plant cell wall and efficiently release macromolecular Codonopsis polysaccharides without destroying the polysaccharide activity. After enzyme inactivation, a secondary filtrate is obtained. A4. Combine the primary and secondary filtrates and concentrate them under vacuum at 50-70℃ and -0.05~-0.1MPa to obtain Codonopsis pilosula extract with a relative density of 1.18-1.22. This maximizes the retention of active ingredients and achieves simultaneous and efficient retention of Codonopsis pilosula polysaccharides, saponins, and other substances, completely solving the technical problem of the inability to retain various active ingredients simultaneously.

[0010] Furthermore, the drying temperature is 40-45℃, and the time is 1-3 hours.

[0011] Furthermore, the compound enzyme is a mixture of cellulase and pectinase in a mass ratio of 1-3:1-2.

[0012] Furthermore, the preparation steps for Poria cocos extract, Polygonatum odoratum extract, Citrus reticulata peel extract, and Morus alba leaf extract are as follows: Poria cocos, Polygonatum odoratum, Citrus reticulata peel, and Morus alba leaf are crushed separately, then mixed with water at a material-to-liquid ratio of 1:10-15, and ultrasonically extracted at 40-45℃ and 300-350W for 10-30 minutes. The ultrasonic cavitation effect is used to break the cell walls of Poria cocos polysaccharides, efficiently dissolving active substances such as Poria cocos polysaccharides and pachymic acid, gently dissolving Polygonatum odoratum polysaccharides, steroidal saponins, and natural sweet flavor substances, fully dissolving characteristic aromas and active ingredients such as hesperidin and volatile oils, and gently retaining Morus alba leaf flavonoids, alkaloids, and refreshing flavor substances; the filtrate is filtered, and the filtrate is concentrated under vacuum at 45-55℃ and -0.05~-0.08MPa to obtain Poria cocos extract, Polygonatum odoratum extract, Citrus reticulata peel extract, and Morus alba leaf extract with relative densities of 1.15-1.2, respectively.

[0013] This invention uses Codonopsis pilosula as the principal ingredient, primarily focusing on invigorating qi and strengthening the spleen, promoting body fluid production and nourishing blood, thus establishing the core health-preserving and nourishing effects of the tea. Poria cocos and Polygonatum odoratum serve as assistant ingredients; Poria cocos strengthens the spleen and eliminates dampness, addressing spleen deficiency and dampness stagnation, while Polygonatum odoratum nourishes yin and moistens dryness, balancing the warming and heat-inducing properties and avoiding the drawbacks of excessive heat. Together, they assist the principal ingredient in enhancing its efficacy and harmonizing its properties. Tangerine peel is used as an adjuvant ingredient, specifically to regulate qi and promote digestion, allowing the nourishing components to be absorbed by the spleen and stomach. Mulberry leaf is used as a guiding ingredient, moistening the lungs and promoting body fluid production, balancing the overall warming properties of the formula. This creates a new formulation system where the five medicinal and edible ingredients complement each other's effects and enhance flavor progression. The three-dimensional auxiliary ingredient system stabilizes quality and optimizes the process. The clear combination of principal, assistant, adjuvant, and guiding ingredients demonstrates strong synergy, improving taste while strengthening the product's health-preserving effects, breaking through the traditional single-improvement model of "only adjusting taste without increasing efficacy."

[0014] 1. Codonopsis pilosula (the main ingredient with core efficacy) Medicinal Efficacy: With mild medicinal properties, it primarily invigorates the spleen and replenishes qi, promotes the production of body fluids and nourishes blood, and tonifies lung qi. It can fundamentally improve problems such as qi deficiency and fatigue, spleen and stomach weakness, dry mouth and lack of saliva, and general weakness and lethargy. It is the core carrier of the health-preserving effects of this invention and is suitable for long-term health maintenance by the general public. Technical Function: After being processed using a graded targeted extraction process, it can efficiently retain core active ingredients such as Codonopsis pilosula polysaccharides and Codonopsis pilosula saponins, providing the core health-preserving value of the product. At the same time, the natural water-soluble components provide a warm and sweet base for the tea soup.

[0015] 2. Poria cocos extract (ingredients, spleen-strengthening and dampness-removing harmonizing components) Medicinal Efficacy: Neutral in nature and sweet in taste, it can strengthen the spleen and remove dampness, calm the mind and soothe the nerves. It assists Codonopsis pilosula in enhancing its spleen-strengthening and stomach-nourishing effects, effectively improving problems such as abdominal distension and fatigue caused by spleen deficiency and dampness accumulation. It also compensates for the weak dampness-removing ability of Codonopsis pilosula alone, achieving both tonification and dampness removal. Technical and Flavor Effects: It possesses a naturally elegant herbal fragrance, which can initially neutralize the earthy taste of Codonopsis pilosula and weaken its astringent herbal sensation. Furthermore, it has excellent water solubility, produces no impurities or sediment, and does not affect the clarity of the tea soup or the granule formation.

[0016] 3. Polygonatum odoratum extract (ingredients, yin-nourishing and dryness-relieving components) Medicinal Efficacy: It excels at nourishing yin and promoting body fluid production, moisturizing dryness and nourishing the stomach. It can effectively balance the warming and tonifying properties of Codonopsis pilosula, solving the problem of dryness, thirst, and internal heat that can easily occur from long-term consumption of Codonopsis pilosula alone. It achieves "tonifying without drying, warming without heating," making it suitable for people with various constitutions. Technical and Flavor Effects: It has a naturally sweet taste and can optimize the flavor of the tea soup without the need for added sucrose or artificial sweeteners. It improves the dryness and blandness of Codonopsis pilosula tea and enhances the mellowness of the tea soup.

[0017] 4. Dried tangerine peel (a condiment, a core component for regulating qi and soothing the stomach) Medicinal Efficacy: It is pungent and warm in nature, promotes qi circulation, strengthens the spleen, dries dampness, and harmonizes the stomach. It specifically addresses the problems of qi stagnation, bloating, and indigestion that can easily occur with pure Codonopsis pilosula (Dang Shen) for tonifying qi. It aids in the spleen and stomach's digestion and absorption, achieving qi tonification without stagnation and spleen strengthening without greasiness, significantly improving the utilization rate and duration of its tonifying effects. Technical and Flavor Effects: It possesses a unique citrus fragrance with rich layers of aroma, deeply covering and eliminating any residual earthy taste from Codonopsis pilosula, thoroughly optimizing the herbal odor problem. Simultaneously, it improves the flowability of the extract, reduces the viscosity of the liquid, assists in preventing sticking to the walls during spray drying, and improves the looseness and uniformity of the finished product particles.

[0018] 5. Mulberry leaves (a blending and moisturizing ingredient) Medicinal effects: Sweet and bitter in taste, cold in nature, it enters the lung and liver meridians. It can clear lung dryness, clear deficiency heat, and promote body fluid production and quench thirst. It can buffer the overall warming properties of Codonopsis pilosula, Poria cocos, and Citrus reticulata, balancing the cold and hot properties of the whole formula, and improving the drawbacks of warm tonic teas that easily cause dryness and heat. It is suitable for people with dry and hot constitutions, those who stay up late and experience internal heat, and those with dry mouth and lung heat. Technical and flavor effects: It has a refreshing herbal coolness and aftertaste, which neutralizes the heavy and greasy feeling of the tea soup, enriches the taste layers, and makes the tea soup refreshing and not dull; it has excellent water solubility, no impurities or sediment, and does not affect the quality of the finished product or the brewing effect.

[0019] 6. Modified resistant dextrin (core molding, moisture-resistant and stable excipient) It replaces traditional maltodextrin and sucrose, and has the characteristics of high glass transition temperature and low hygroscopicity. It can fundamentally solve the industry problems of easy sticking to the wall during spray drying of Codonopsis pilosula high sugar extract and easy moisture and clumping of finished products during long-term storage. At the same time, it has excellent water solubility, can be dissolved in cold water very quickly, and is a dietary fiber with no calorie burden, which meets the needs of healthy blood sugar control and health preservation.

[0020] 7. Microcrystalline cellulose (structural modification, stabilizing excipient) It mainly plays a role in improving the physical structure, enhancing the mechanical strength and regularity of the particles, solving the problems of excessive dust and loose, brittle particles in spray-dried products, and ensuring batch-to-batch quality consistency; at the same time, it can prevent particles from clumping together during brewing, further optimizing the instant dissolution and dispersion effect.

[0021] 8. Fructooligosaccharides (flavor fine-tuning, dispersing and synergistic excipients) The addition of natural prebiotic components in trace amounts can gently weaken the slight bitterness of herbs and enhance the flavor profile of the tea. At the same time, it improves the homogeneity and compatibility of the extract and excipients, prevents the liquid from separating and the sediment from the tea during brewing, and helps stabilize the quality of the spray-dried product.

[0022] This invention also discloses a method for preparing the above-mentioned spray-dried instant granule tea of ​​Codonopsis pilosula, comprising the following steps: S1. Mix resistant dextrin, microcrystalline cellulose, and fructooligosaccharides in a certain proportion, then add 10-20wt% water and mix evenly. Resistant dextrin replaces traditional maltodextrin, combining water solubility and moisture resistance. Microcrystalline cellulose improves the strength of granule forming and eliminates dust. Fructooligosaccharides adjust the taste and are suitable for health-preserving properties. The combination of the three solves the technical bottleneck of traditional granules not being able to achieve both instant dissolution and long shelf life. Then add Codonopsis pilosula extract, Poria cocos extract, Polygonatum odoratum extract, Citrus reticulata extract, and Morus alba extract. After homogenization, a liquid with a solid content of 28%-32% is obtained. S2. A closed-loop spray drying system is adopted, with a feed rate of 20-25 mL / min and an atomization pressure of 0.3-0.5 MPa. First, drying is carried out at an inlet air temperature of 80-90℃ for 30-60 minutes. The low temperature and low air velocity prevent the high-sugar extract from sticking to the wall due to instantaneous high temperature. Then, drying is carried out at an inlet air temperature of 120-130℃ for 20-40 minutes to achieve slow dehydration and shaping of the droplets, avoiding the problems of hollow particles and breakage caused by rapid drying, and promoting the formation of a uniform porous and loose structure of particles, laying the foundation for rapid dissolution. Finally, residual moisture is removed at a low temperature of 70-75℃ to avoid damage to residual heat-sensitive components by high temperature, until a powder with a moisture content of ≤3.5% is obtained. S3. Sift and sterilize the powder to obtain the finished tea beverage.

[0023] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows: 1. Graded Dual-State Extraction Technology: Targeting the differences in thermal stability of different active ingredients in Codonopsis pilosula, this invention adopts a graded extraction method of low-temperature ultrasonic water extraction + medium-temperature enzymatic hydrolysis to capture volatile flavor substances, heat-sensitive saponins, and macromolecular polysaccharides separately. This solves the industry problems of component loss and low extraction rate in traditional extraction methods, resulting in more significant and effective tonic effects compared to traditional granular tea drinks.

[0024] 2. Natural Medicinal and Edible Flavor Correction Technology: The delicate fragrance of Poria cocos initially neutralizes the earthy taste and astringency of Codonopsis pilosula; the natural sweetness of Polygonatum odoratum forms a base, optimizing the bitterness of the tea soup; the rich citrus aroma of dried tangerine peel deeply covers any residual herbal odor, giving the tea soup its core aroma; the cool and sweet aftertaste of mulberry leaves finishes off the greasiness and neutralizes the heaviness. This ultimately creates a progressive complex flavor profile of light fragrance, sweetness, citrus aroma, and cool, refreshing aftertaste. The entire process is free of sucrose, artificial flavors, and artificial sweeteners. It utilizes natural plant flavors to neutralize the earthy and astringent taste of Codonopsis pilosula, achieving a comprehensive upgrade in taste through the blend of natural plants. This completely solves the problems of poor flavor and low palatability in traditional Codonopsis pilosula tea, achieving a dual upgrade in both flavor and health benefits.

[0025] 3. Segmented variable temperature spray drying process: Abandoning the traditional constant temperature drying mode, this invention adopts a three-stage variable temperature spray drying process, namely low temperature in the early stage to prevent sticking to the wall, gradient drying and shaping in the middle stage, and low temperature dehumidification in the later stage. This completely solves the problem of sticking and caramelization of Codonopsis pilosula high sugar extract, without the need to add additional anti-sticking agents, while avoiding the damage of high temperature to active ingredients.

[0026] 4. Cold and hot dissolving, instant dissolving: The tea beverage product prepared by this invention has loose and uniform particles with less dust, which can be quickly dissolved in cold water, and can be instantly dissolved in warm water and hot water. There are no lumps, no suspended impurities, and no bottom sediment. The tea soup is clear and uniform, solving the problem of traditional particle brewing being prone to sinking and turbidity.

[0027] 5. All process steps of this invention can be industrialized and mass-produced using existing Chinese medicine spray drying and extraction equipment, without the need for customized special equipment. The process parameters are highly controllable and suitable for mass production. Detailed Implementation

[0028] The specific embodiments of the present invention are described below to facilitate understanding of the invention by those skilled in the art. Unless otherwise specified, specific conditions are applied according to conventional conditions or the manufacturer's recommendations. Reagents or instruments whose manufacturers are not specified are all commercially available conventional products. However, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the scope of the specific embodiments. For those skilled in the art, various modifications are obvious as long as they fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined and determined by the appended claims. All inventions utilizing the concept of this invention are protected.

[0029] Example 1 A spray-dried instant granule tea made from Codonopsis pilosula includes the following ingredients by weight: 75 parts Codonopsis pilosula extract, 35 parts Poria cocos extract, 25 parts Polygonatum odoratum extract, 15 parts Citrus reticulata extract, 12 parts Morus alba leaf extract, 7 parts resistant dextrin, 2 parts microcrystalline cellulose, and 1 part fructooligosaccharide.

[0030] The preparation steps of Codonopsis pilosula extract include: A1. Wash the Codonopsis pilosula, dry it at 45℃ for 2 hours, and then pulverize it to obtain coarse Codonopsis pilosula powder; A2. Mix the coarse powder of Codonopsis pilosula with water at a ratio of 1:17, extract with ultrasound at 50℃ and 300W for 50 minutes, separate, and obtain filter residue and initial filtrate. A3. Mix the filter residue and water at a material-to-liquid ratio of 1:12, then add 0.2wt% of a compound enzyme (the mass ratio of cellulase to pectinase is 2:1), and enzymatically hydrolyze at 55℃ for 40 min. After inactivating the enzyme, a secondary filtrate is obtained. A4. Combine the primary and secondary filtrates and concentrate them under vacuum at 55℃ and -0.08MPa to obtain Codonopsis pilosula extract with a relative density of 1.18-1.22.

[0031] The preparation steps of Poria cocos extract, Polygonatum odoratum extract, Citrus reticulata peel extract and Morus alba leaf extract are as follows: Poria cocos, Polygonatum odoratum, Citrus reticulata peel and Morus alba leaf are crushed separately, then mixed with water at a material-to-liquid ratio of 1:12, and ultrasonically extracted at 45℃ and 300W for 20 minutes. After filtration, the filtrate is concentrated under vacuum at 50℃ and -0.06MPa to obtain Poria cocos extract, Polygonatum odoratum extract, Citrus reticulata peel extract and Morus alba leaf extract with relative densities of 1.15-1.2, respectively.

[0032] A method for preparing a spray-dried, instant granule tea made from Codonopsis pilosula includes the following steps: S1. Resistant dextrin, microcrystalline cellulose, and fructooligosaccharides are mixed in proportion, and then 12wt% pure water is added by low-temperature spraying to pre-treat the composite excipients by atomizing the water. This makes the excipient system more compatible with Codonopsis pilosula extract, and the formed particles have uniform pores, further improving the cold water solubility and structural stability. After stirring evenly, Codonopsis pilosula extract, Poria cocos extract, Polygonatum odoratum extract, Citrus reticulata extract, and Morus alba extract are added and homogenized for 20 minutes to obtain a liquid with a solid content of 30%. S2. Closed-loop spray drying is adopted, with the feed rate set at 22 mL / min and the atomization pressure at 0.35 MPa. First, the powder is dried at an inlet air temperature of 85℃ for 40 min, then dried at an inlet air temperature of 125℃ for 30 min, and finally dehydrated at a low temperature of 73℃ until a powder with a moisture content of ≤3.5% is obtained. S3. Pass the powder through a 60-mesh sieve and sterilize it with ultraviolet low temperature (room temperature, 15 min) to obtain the finished tea beverage.

[0033] Example 2 A spray-dried instant granule tea made from Codonopsis pilosula includes the following ingredients by weight: 70 parts Codonopsis pilosula extract, 30 parts Poria cocos extract, 30 parts Polygonatum odoratum extract, 20 parts Citrus reticulata extract, 10 parts Morus alba extract, 5 parts resistant dextrin, 3 parts microcrystalline cellulose, and 2 parts fructooligosaccharides.

[0034] The preparation steps of Codonopsis pilosula extract include: A1. Wash the Codonopsis pilosula, dry it at 42℃ for 1 hour, and then pulverize it to obtain coarse Codonopsis pilosula powder; A2. Mix the coarse powder of Codonopsis pilosula with water at a ratio of 1:15, extract by ultrasonication at 55℃ and 280W for 40 minutes, separate, and obtain filter residue and initial filtrate. A3. Mix the filter residue and water at a material-to-liquid ratio of 1:10, then add 0.3wt% of a compound enzyme (the mass ratio of cellulase to pectinase is 1:2), and enzymatically hydrolyze at 60℃ for 30 minutes. After inactivating the enzyme, obtain the secondary filtrate. A4. Combine the primary and secondary filtrates and concentrate them under vacuum at 50℃ and -0.1MPa to obtain Codonopsis pilosula extract with a relative density of 1.18-1.22.

[0035] The preparation steps of Poria cocos extract, Polygonatum odoratum extract, Citrus reticulata peel extract and Morus alba leaf extract are as follows: Poria cocos, Polygonatum odoratum, Citrus reticulata peel and Morus alba leaf are crushed separately, then mixed with water at a material-to-liquid ratio of 1:15, and ultrasonically extracted at 40℃ and 350W for 10 minutes. After filtration, the filtrate is concentrated under vacuum at 55℃ and -0.05MPa to obtain Poria cocos extract, Polygonatum odoratum extract, Citrus reticulata peel extract and Morus alba leaf extract with relative densities of 1.15-1.2, respectively.

[0036] A method for preparing a spray-dried, instant granule tea made from Codonopsis pilosula includes the following steps: S1. Mix resistant dextrin, microcrystalline cellulose and oligofructose in proportion, and then add 15wt% pure water by atomized spraying using low temperature spraying. After stirring evenly, add Codonopsis pilosula extract, Poria cocos extract, Polygonatum odoratum extract, Citrus reticulata extract and Morus alba extract and homogenize for 20 minutes to obtain a liquid with a solid content of 32%. S2. Closed-loop spray drying is adopted, with the feed rate set at 25 mL / min and the atomization pressure at 0.5 MPa. First, the powder is dried at an inlet air temperature of 90℃ for 30 min, then dried at an inlet air temperature of 130℃ for 20 min, and finally dehydrated at a low temperature of 70℃ until a powder with a moisture content of ≤3.5% is obtained. S3. Pass the powder through a 60-mesh sieve and sterilize it with ultraviolet low temperature (room temperature, 15 min) to obtain the finished tea beverage.

[0037] Example 3 A spray-dried instant granule tea made from Codonopsis pilosula includes the following ingredients by weight: 80 parts Codonopsis pilosula extract, 40 parts Poria cocos extract, 20 parts Polygonatum odoratum extract, 10 parts Citrus reticulata extract, 15 parts Morus alba extract, 10 parts resistant dextrin, 2 parts microcrystalline cellulose, and 1 part fructooligosaccharide.

[0038] The preparation steps of Codonopsis pilosula extract include: A1. Wash the Codonopsis pilosula, dry it at 40℃ for 3 hours, and then pulverize it to obtain coarse Codonopsis pilosula powder; A2. Mix the coarse powder of Codonopsis pilosula with water at a ratio of 1:20, extract by ultrasonication at 52℃ and 320W for 60 minutes, separate, and obtain filter residue and initial filtrate. A3. Mix the filter residue and water at a material-to-liquid ratio of 1:15, then add 0.1 wt% of a compound enzyme (the mass ratio of cellulase to pectinase is 3:1), and enzymatically hydrolyze at 50℃ for 60 min. After inactivating the enzyme, obtain the secondary filtrate. A4. Combine the primary and secondary filtrates and concentrate them under vacuum at 70℃ and -0.05MPa to obtain Codonopsis pilosula extract with a relative density of 1.18-1.22.

[0039] The preparation steps of Poria cocos extract, Polygonatum odoratum extract, Citrus reticulata peel extract and Morus alba leaf extract are as follows: Poria cocos, Polygonatum odoratum, Citrus reticulata peel and Morus alba leaf are crushed separately, then mixed with water at a material-to-liquid ratio of 1:10, and ultrasonically extracted at 45℃ and 300W for 30 minutes. After filtration, the filtrate is concentrated under vacuum at 45℃ and -0.08MPa to obtain Poria cocos extract, Polygonatum odoratum extract, Citrus reticulata peel extract and Morus alba leaf extract with relative densities of 1.15-1.2, respectively.

[0040] A method for preparing a spray-dried, instant granule tea made from Codonopsis pilosula includes the following steps: S1. Mix resistant dextrin, microcrystalline cellulose and oligofructose in proportion, and then add 10wt% pure water by atomized spraying using low temperature spraying. After stirring evenly, add Codonopsis pilosula extract, Poria cocos extract, Polygonatum odoratum extract, Citrus reticulata extract and Morus alba extract and homogenize for 20 minutes to obtain a liquid with a solid content of 28%. S2. Closed-loop spray drying is adopted, with the feed rate set at 20mL / min and the atomization pressure at 0.3MPa. First, the powder is dried at an inlet air temperature of 80℃ for 60min, then dried at an inlet air temperature of 120℃ for 40min, and finally dehydrated at a low temperature of 75℃ until a powder with a moisture content of ≤3.5% is obtained. S3. Pass the powder through a 60-mesh sieve and sterilize it with ultraviolet low temperature (room temperature, 15 min) to obtain the finished tea beverage.

[0041] Comparative Example 1 The difference between this comparative example and Example 1 is that step A3 is omitted, the initial filtrate obtained in step A2 is concentrated under vacuum, and the remaining implementation conditions are the same as in Example 1, to obtain Codonopsis pilosula extract.

[0042] Comparative Example 2 The difference between this comparative example and Example 1 is that step A2 is omitted, and the crude Codonopsis pilosula powder obtained in step A1 is enzymatically hydrolyzed. The remaining implementation conditions are the same as in Example 1 to obtain Codonopsis pilosula extract.

[0043] Comparative Example 3 The difference between this comparative example and Example 1 is that the air inlet temperature in step S2 is set to 125°C, and the temperature remains constant throughout the process until a powder with a moisture content of ≤3.5% is obtained. The remaining implementation conditions are the same as in Example 1, and the finished tea beverage is obtained.

[0044] Experimental Example 1. The Codonopsis pilosula extracts obtained in Example 1, Comparative Example 1, and Comparative Example 2 were used as samples for the determination of active ingredient content. The total polysaccharide was determined using the phenol-sulfuric acid method, the total saponin was determined using the vanillin-perchloric acid-sulfuric acid method, and the total flavonoid was determined using the NaNO2-Al(NO3)3-NaOH method. The results are shown in Table 1.

[0045] Table 1. Effects of different extraction methods on the content of active ingredients.

[0046] As shown in Table 1, the total polysaccharide yield of the ultrasonic + enzymatic hydrolysis combined extraction in Example 1 was 25.23 mg·g. -1 The extraction method is significantly superior to single ultrasound and single enzymatic hydrolysis. Among them, single enzymatic hydrolysis is slightly better than single ultrasound in polysaccharide extraction. This is because enzymatic hydrolysis can specifically destroy the cellulose, pectin and other structures of plant cell walls, thus breaking down the cell wall barrier. The cavitation effect and mechanical vibration of ultrasound can further break down plant tissues and enhance mass transfer efficiency. Under the premise of not destroying the activity of polysaccharides, the macromolecular Codonopsis pilosula polysaccharides are released efficiently. The synergistic effect of the two greatly promotes the dissolution of polysaccharides and significantly improves the polysaccharide extraction yield.

[0047] In the extraction of total saponins, ultrasonic treatment is more suitable for the dissolution of total saponins than enzymatic hydrolysis, while enzymatic hydrolysis alone has a poor extraction effect on saponins. The ultrasonic-enzymatic hydrolysis combined process combines the advantages of both technologies. Based on ultrasonic disruption of tissue, enzymatic hydrolysis further breaks down cell structure constraints, fully releasing the saponin components encapsulated within the cells, thus significantly improving the saponin extraction yield.

[0048] In the extraction of total flavonoids, the advantages of the combined extraction process are also prominent. The total flavonoid yield of extraction using a combination of ultrasound and enzymatic hydrolysis can reach 17.65 mg / g. -1 The efficiency is far higher than that of ultrasound and enzymatic hydrolysis alone. Both single extraction methods have low extraction efficiency for flavonoids and are difficult to achieve effective dissolution of flavonoids. However, the combined treatment of ultrasound and enzymatic hydrolysis effectively overcomes the limitations of single processes, destroys the plant tissue structure to the greatest extent, and promotes the release and dissolution of flavonoid active ingredients.

[0049] In summary, different extraction processes exhibit significant differences in their dissolution effects on various active ingredients. Single ultrasonic extraction and single enzymatic extraction both suffer from low extraction efficiency and insufficient dissolution of active ingredients, failing to achieve efficient extraction of all three types of active ingredients. However, the ultrasonic-enzymatic combined extraction process is not simply a superposition of the effects of two individual processes; rather, they exhibit a significant synergistic effect. This process effectively disrupts plant cell walls, improves mass transfer, and significantly increases the extraction yields of total polysaccharides, total saponins, and total flavonoids. It solves the technical challenge of simultaneously retaining various active ingredients, providing a reliable technological basis for the industrial extraction and utilization of active ingredients in raw materials.

[0050] 2. Comparative experiments were conducted by changing only the drying temperature program, using single constant-temperature spray drying and multi-stage gradient temperature-varying spray drying respectively. Multiple quantitative indicators, such as the retention rate of active ingredients and the powder yield, were measured in the powders obtained in Example 1 and Comparative Example 3. Three parallel experiments were set up for each experimental group, and the average value of the experimental data was taken to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the results. The quantitative data of each experiment after the two processing methods are shown in Table 2.

[0051] Table 2. Effects of different drying methods on the retention rate of active ingredients in the finished product.

[0052] As shown in Table 2, under the single constant temperature drying mode of 125℃ in Comparative Example 3, the continuous high-temperature heat caused varying degrees of degradation and oxidation of heat-sensitive polysaccharides, saponins, and flavonoids. The retention rates of all three types of active ingredients were below 75%, with the total flavonoids exhibiting the lowest retention rate at only 65.28%. The destructive effect of high temperature on polyphenols and saponins was particularly pronounced. In contrast, this invention employs a three-stage variable-temperature spray process. By controlling the low-temperature gradient in the later stages, it avoids the thermal damage caused by high temperatures throughout the process. The retention rates of the three core active ingredients are all increased to over 83%, with the total flavonoids showing the greatest increase in retention rate, reaching 18.36%. This fully demonstrates that the multi-stage variable-temperature process can effectively protect the heat-sensitive active ingredients of plant extracts and maximize the preservation of the product's medicinal value.

[0053] In Comparative Example 3, under a single constant-temperature drying mode, the extract droplets are prone to rapid surface hardening and shelling due to the inability of internal moisture to escape in a high-temperature environment. Simultaneously, high-viscosity materials are prone to sticking to the spray tower walls and coking / caking, resulting in significant material loss and a dry extract powder yield of only 68.75%. This invention effectively solves the problems of droplet sticking and material agglomeration through a gradient mode of rapid high-temperature setting in the early stage and stable dehydration in the middle stage, significantly reducing production losses. The dry extract powder yield is increased to 82.43%, and the material utilization rate is increased by 13.68%, significantly improving raw material utilization and production economic efficiency.

[0054] In summary, the process of this invention matches the changing patterns of the material throughout the drying process with gradient temperature control, taking into account both drying efficiency and product quality. It is perfectly suited for the drying and processing of heat-sensitive plant extracts rich in polysaccharides, saponins, and flavonoids, and belongs to a more efficient, stable, and high-quality optimized spray drying process.

Claims

1. A spray-dried, instant granular tea made from Codonopsis pilosula, characterized in that, The raw materials used, by weight, include: 70-80 parts of Codonopsis pilosula extract, 30-40 parts of Poria cocos extract, 20-30 parts of Polygonatum odoratum extract, 10-20 parts of Citrus reticulata extract, 10-15 parts of Morus alba leaf extract, 5-10 parts of resistant dextrin, 2-3 parts of microcrystalline cellulose, and 1-2 parts of fructooligosaccharides.

2. The Codonopsis pilosula spray-dried instant granule tea beverage according to claim 1, characterized in that, The raw materials used, by weight, include: 75 parts Codonopsis pilosula extract, 35 parts Poria cocos extract, 25 parts Polygonatum odoratum extract, 15 parts Citrus reticulata extract, 12 parts Morus alba leaf extract, 7 parts resistant dextrin, 2 parts microcrystalline cellulose, and 1 part fructooligosaccharide.

3. The Codonopsis pilosula spray-dried instant granule tea beverage according to claim 1, characterized in that, The preparation steps of the Codonopsis pilosula extract include: A1. Codonopsis pilosula is washed, dried, and pulverized to obtain coarse powder. A2. Mix the coarse powder of Codonopsis pilosula with water at a material-to-liquid ratio of 1:15-20, and extract by ultrasonication at 50-55℃ and 280-320W for 40-60 minutes. Separate to obtain filter residue and initial filtrate. A3. Mix the filter residue and water at a material-to-liquid ratio of 1:10-15, then add 0.1-0.3wt% of compound enzyme, and enzymatically hydrolyze at 50-60℃ for 30-60 minutes. After enzyme inactivation, obtain the secondary filtrate. A4. Combine the primary and secondary filtrates and concentrate them at 50-70℃ and -0.05~-0.1MPa to obtain Codonopsis pilosula extract with a relative density of 1.18-1.

22.

4. The Codonopsis pilosula spray-dried instant granule tea beverage according to claim 3, characterized in that, The drying temperature is 40-45℃, and the time is 1-3 hours.

5. The Codonopsis pilosula spray-dried instant granule tea beverage according to claim 3, characterized in that, The compound enzyme is a mixture of cellulase and pectinase in a mass ratio of 1-3:1-2.

6. The Codonopsis pilosula spray-dried instant granule tea beverage according to claim 1, characterized in that, The preparation steps of the Poria cocos extract, Polygonatum odoratum extract, Citrus reticulata peel extract and Morus alba leaf extract are as follows: Poria cocos, Polygonatum odoratum, Citrus reticulata peel and Morus alba leaf are crushed separately, then mixed with water at a material-to-liquid ratio of 1:10-15, and ultrasonically extracted at 40-45℃ and 300-350W for 10-30 minutes. After filtration, the filtrate is concentrated under vacuum at 45-55℃ and -0.05~-0.08MPa to obtain Poria cocos extract, Polygonatum odoratum extract, Citrus reticulata peel extract and Morus alba leaf extract with relative densities of 1.15-1.2, respectively.

7. The method for preparing Codonopsis pilosula spray-dried instant granule tea according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: S1. Mix resistant dextrin, microcrystalline cellulose and oligofructose in proportion, then add 10-20wt% water and mix evenly. Then add Codonopsis pilosula extract, Poria cocos extract, Polygonatum odoratum extract, Citrus reticulata extract and Morus alba extract. After homogenization, a liquid with a solid content of 28%-32% is obtained. S2. A closed-loop spray drying system is adopted, with a feed rate of 20-25 mL / min and an atomization pressure of 0.3-0.5 MPa. First, the powder is dried at an inlet air temperature of 80-90℃ for 30-60 min, then dried at an inlet air temperature of 120-130℃ for 20-40 min, and finally dehydrated at a low temperature of 70-75℃ until a powder with a moisture content of ≤3.5% is obtained. S3. Sift and sterilize the powder to obtain the finished tea beverage.

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