Method of extracting salt from plant matter

Abstract

Salts and methods of extracting salt from plant matter include processes of converting halophyte Salicornia spp. to crystallized salts.

Description

METHOD OF EXTRACTING SALT FROM PLANT MATTERBYNORTON, SAMUELHICKS, TANNERTITLEMETHOD OF EXTRACTING SALT FROM PLANT MATTER

[0001] This utility patent application claims benefit of United States Provisional Patent Application Serial Number 63 / 465,180 filed in the United States Patent and Trademark Office on May 9, 2023.BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0002] Sodium chloride (NaCl) is one of the most abundant minerals and most commonly used food additives in the world. Sodium chloride can be found commercially in a variety of forms including, but not limited to: (i) common table salt; (ii) kosher salt; (iii) sea salt; (iv) iodized salt; and (v) Himalayan pink salt. Due to its antimicrobial properties, sodium (Na+) is predominantly used as a food preservative to increase the duration which food can be stored without spoiling, commonly known as making food more “shelf-stable.”

[0003] While sodium is commonly added to foods as a preservative, its prolific use in this way has made it increasingly difficult to source “low-sodium” foods. Thanks to preservatives and other dietary choices, sodium intake in the United States has historically exceeded recommended daily intake amounts. The overconsumption of sodium can lead to hypertension, kidney disease, stroke, and heart failure - the number one cause of death in the United States.

[0004] However, consumption of sodium is a necessary part of human diets, health, and wellbeing. Sodium comprises approximately half of the foundation of human nervous systems, is one of the most important regulators of blood pH levels, and is a powerful electrolyte that influences the activities of human renal systems. The recommended daily amount of sodium to be consumed by humans for disease reduction is 2,300 mg / day, while a minimum required amount for biological functions lies between 180 - 230 mg / day. Based on a study by the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the average daily consumption of sodium among all genders and ages between the years of 2003 and 2016 was 3,539 mg / day, a figure significantly exceeding that of the recommended daily amount.

[0005] A variety of salt alternatives exist on the market; however, these salt alternatives often sacrifice overall taste or lack versatility as an additive to achieve lower sodium levels in food products when compared to traditional salt additives. For example, potassium chloride(KC1), which is a common salt alternative that does not contain any amount of NaCl, maintains a marked bitter aftertaste. Additionally, “low-sodium” food options also exist on the market, but these low-sodium foods are often found to be less flavorful when compared to their traditional NaCl counterparts.

[0006] Known methods of food preservation via introduction of sodium chloride have a potential to result in adverse effects to human health, diet, and wellbeing. Further, “low- sodium” foods, those which either comprise reduced amounts of sodium or salt alternatives like potassium chloride, present one potential solution to the above-stated issue; however, these “low-sodium” food options are generally less flavorful and / or fail to function as versatile food additives when compared to traditional, salt-based methods.

[0007] Various industry practices exist for extraction of salt from plant matter. For instance, current ashing processes require intense heat and subject the plant matter to conditions ultimately detrimental to the resulting crystalline salt product. Lastly, processes used to dry the plant matter, such as centrifuging, are inadequate and often require additional fdtration and drying steps.

[0008] Accordingly, a need exists for a method of producing healthy, salt alternatives that maintain the flavorful characteristics of traditional sodium chloride additives while simultaneously reducing the sodium content of associated foods. Further, a need exists for a method of producing salt alternatives with proper salt content, controlled mineral content, and a reduction in input requirements to dry and produce resulting crystalline salt products.BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0009] The present disclosure is directed in general to methods of producing healthy salt alternatives that maintain the flavorful characteristics of traditional sodium chloride additives while simultaneously reducing the sodium content of associated foods, producing controlled mineral contents, and efficiently drying plant matter to produce crystalline salt from plant matter. These methods are particularly beneficial in the production of crystalline salt products from salt-tolerant plants.

[0010] More specifically, various methods of extracting salt from plant matter are provided herein. In one aspect, a method of extracting salt from plant matter may include harvestinghalophyte Salicornia spp. plant matter; dehydrating Salicornia spp. plant matter; micronizing the dehydrated Salicornia spp. plant matter; mixing the micronized Salicornia spp. plant matter into a heated distilled water solution to produce an aqueous mixture; clarifying the aqueous mixture by filtration; and inducing salt crystallization of the aqueous mixture through evaporation.

[0011] Additional objects and advantages of the present subject matter are set forth in, or will be apparent to, those of ordinary skill in the art from the description herein. Also, it should be further appreciated that modifications and variations to the specifically illustrated, referenced, and discussed features, processes, and elements hereof may be practiced in various embodiments and uses of the disclosure without departing from the spirit and scope of the subject matter. Variations may include, but are not limited to, substitution of equivalent means, features, or steps for those illustrated, referenced, or discussed, and the functional, operational, or positional reversal of various parts, features, steps, or the like. Those of ordinary skill in the art will better appreciate the features and aspects of the various embodiments, and others, upon review of the remainder of the specification.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] A full and enabling disclosure of the present subject matter, including the best mode thereof directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth in the specification, which refers to the appended figures, wherein FIGURE 1 is a flow chart showing exemplary steps of a method of extracting salt from plant matter.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0013] As required, detailed embodiments are disclosed herein; however, the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary and may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but as bases for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, as well as their equivalents.

[0014] Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as is commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which thisdisclosure belongs. In the event that there is a plurality of definitions for a term or acronym herein, those in this section prevail unless stated otherwise.

[0015] Wherever the phrases “for example,” “such as,” “including,” and the like are used herein, the phrase “and without limitation” is understood to follow unless explicitly stated otherwise. Similarly, “an example,” “exemplary,” and the like are understood to be non- limiting.

[0016] The term “substantially” allows for deviations from the descriptor that do not negatively impact the intended purpose. Descriptive terms are understood to be modified by the term “substantially” even if the word “substantially” is not explicitly recited.

[0017] The term “about” when used in connection with a numerical value refers to the actual given value, and to the approximation to such given value that would reasonably be inferred by one of ordinary skill in the art, including approximations due to the experimental and or measurement conditions for such given value.

[0018] Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words “comprise,” “comprising,” and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; in the sense of “including, but not limited to.”

[0019] The terms “comprising” and “including” and “having” and “involving” (and similarly “comprises,” “includes,” “has,” and “involves”) and the like are used interchangeably and have the same meaning. Specifically, each of the terms is defined consistent with the common United States patent law definition of “comprising” and is therefore interpreted to be an open term meaning “at least the following,” and is also interpreted not to exclude additional features, limitations, aspects, et cetera. Thus, for example, “a device having components a, b, and c” means that the device includes at least components a, b, and c. Similarly, the phrase: “a method involving a, b, and c” means that the method includes at least steps a, b, and c.

[0020] Where a list of alternative component terms is used, e.g., “a structure such as ‘a,’ ‘b,’ ‘c,’ ‘d,’ or the like,” or “a” or b,” such lists and alternative terms provide meaning and context for the sake of illustration, unless indicated otherwise. Also, relative terms such as“first,” “second,” “third,” “left,” “right,” “front,” “rear,” et cetera are intended to identify or distinguish one component or feature from another similar component or feature, unless indicated otherwise herein.

[0021] When a list of element names are provided with a component or step element number, the names are understood as identifying, nonlimiting, alternative nomenclature for that component or step; e.g., “bird, poultry, or fowl 10” means element number 10 may mean and be referred to by any of the listed nomenclature.

[0022] “Halophyte” refers herein to a salt-tolerant plant that grows in soil or waters of increased salinity.

[0023] As used herein, Salicornia spp. halophytes, which are also known as samphire, glasswort, and sea asparagus, are naturally occurring, salt-tolerant succulents.

[0024] The various embodiments of the disclosure and / or equivalents falling within the scope of the present disclosure overcome or ameliorate at least one of the disadvantages of the prior art.

[0025] Detailed reference will now be made to the drawings in which examples embodying the present subject matter are shown. The detailed description uses numerical and letter designations to refer to features of the drawings. The drawings and detailed description provide a full and written description of the present subject matter, and of the manner and process of making and using various exemplary embodiments, so as to enable one skilled in the pertinent art to make and use them, as well as the best mode of carrying out the exemplary embodiments. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, and some features may be exaggerated to show details of particular components. Thus, the examples set forth in the drawings and detailed descriptions are provided by way of explanation only and are not meant as limitations of the disclosure. The present subject matter thus includes any modifications and variations of the following examples as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0026] Turning now to FIGURE 1, a flow chart shows exemplary steps of a method for extracting salt from plant matter broadly indicated by element number 100. More specifically, FIGURE 1 illustrates a process of converting halophyte Salicornia spp. to crystalized salt.

[0027] The method 100 of FIGURE 1 may first include harvesting halophyte Salicornia spp. plant matter as shown at step or stage 110. Harvesting of the halophyte Salicornia spp. may include hand harvesting, harvesting with hand-held tools, or machine harvesting.

[0028] The method 100 may next include dehydrating the Salicornia spp. plant matter to reduce moisture content as shown in step 120. Dehydrating harvested Salicornia spp. is necessary to remove excess moisture from the Salicornia spp. plant matter. Furthermore, a postharvest treatment of the Salicornia spp. is necessary to prevent fouling of a crystallized salt produced from the Salicornia spp. plant matter. Any damage to a surface or a structure of the Salicornia spp. may instigate an interaction of endogenous polyphenol oxidase (PPO), peroxidase, and / or other present enzymes within phenolics (collectively, “enzymes”) of the Salicornia spp. To prevent fouling, which may include browning, bitter taste, and displeasing odor of the crystallized salt, enzymatic activity must be inhibited. Inactivation of the enzymes may be achieved with a variety of methods including, but not limited to, blanching (i.e., thermal shocking), chemical denaturing (i.e., use of reducing agents, enzyme inhibitors, and chelating agents), electrical denaturing (i.e., pulse electric field processing), deoxygenation, or dehydration.

[0029] In one embodiment, Salicornia spp. is dehydrated inside a climate-controlled environment such as a structure that could be a grow tent. The climate-controlled grow tent is capable of maintaining a relatively stable temperature and moisture content of enclosed air. Further, the climate-controlled grow tent may also include a heating mechanism, such as a space heater, to assist with evaporation. In one aspect, the climate-controlled grow tent may include a unit measuring eight feet by eight feet (8 ft. x 8 ft.) capable of removing up to ninety- five percent (95%) of moisture contained within the Salicornia spp. plant matter. Further, the climate-controlled grow tent may be capable of reducing exposure of the Salicornia spp. plant matter to compromising environmental conditions including extreme temperatures, biological contaminants, and excess humidity.

[0030] Other methods of dehydrating the Salicornia spp. plant matter may include freeze drying and solar evaporation. Additionally or alternatively, methods of dehydrating the Salicornia spp. plant matter may include oven drying, rotary drum drying, fluidized bed drying, and conveyor drying.

[0031] The method 100 of FIGURE 1 may also include micronizing the dehydrated Salicornia spp. into a powder as shown in step 130. Micronization reduces an average diameter of a particle of a solid material. More specifically, micronization is used to reduce the average diameter of particles to a micron-size level, that is, a size on the order of magnitude of one- millionth of a meter.

[0032] Micronization of the dehydrated Salicornia spp. may be accomplished via mechanical milling or grinding. In one aspect, micronization of the dehydrated Salicornia spp. is achieved with a blender mechanism such as a blender or mixer. In an alternate embodiment, micronization of the dehydrated Salicornia spp. may be accomplished with a grinder, mortar and pestle, hammer mill, or air mill. Further, micronization of the dehydrated Salicornia spp. may also be accomplished by introducing supercritical fluids to induce a state of supersaturation of the dehydrated Salicornia spp. to result in a precipitation of individual particles.

[0033] Micronization of the dehydrated Salicornia spp. is undertaken to separate mineral salts (i.e., resultant crystallized salt) contained within the dehydrated Salicornia spp. from a remaining plant matter biomass. Further, micronization of the dehydrated Salicornia spp. before a process of rehydrating promotes a more efficient extraction of intracellular minerals by mechanically degrading cells of the dehydrated Salicornia spp. plant matter (i.e., biomass.)

[0034] With continued reference to FIGURE 1, the method 100 may next include mixing the micronized Salicornia spp. into a heated distilled water solution as shown in step 140. After the dehydrated Salicornia spp. is micronized into a fine particulate or powder to separate the mineral salts from the remaining plant matter biomass, the micronized Salicornia spp. is mixed into the distilled water solution. In one aspect, a temperature of the distilled water solution is approximately one hundred and thirty degrees Fahrenheit (130°F) to one hundred and fifty degrees Fahrenheit (150°F), more particularly, one hundred and forty degrees Fahrenheit (140°F). A ratio of mixing the micronized Salicornia spp. into the distilled water solution is approximately at a ratio of 0.75: 1 to 1.5: 1, preferably 1: 1, that is, one-part distilled water solution to one-part original wet biomass of the Salicornia spp. plant matter by weight to produce an aqueous Salicornia spp. solution (i.e., heated brine solution). A volume of distilledwater is maintained to maximize a solubility of the micronized Salicornia spp. in the resultant heated brine solution.

[0035] A process of adding the micronized Salicornia spp. to the distilled water solution, known as rehydrating, can reactivate enzymatic activity and instigate a degradation of present phenolic compounds. Therefore, the distilled water solution is heated before the micronized Salicornia spp. is introduced and the resultant heated brine solution is cooled post-mixing - a process known as pasteurization. The resultant brine solution may be pasteurized by heating the brine solution in a heating vessel. In one aspect, the heating vessel may include a stainless steel kettle. Furthermore, the heating vessel may be heated with natural gas. In an alternate embodiment, pasteurization may be accomplished via vat (i.e., batch) pasteurization or High Temperature Short Time (HTST) pasteurization technologies.

[0036] After the resultant brine solution, that is, an aqueous solution of Salicornia spp. and distilled water, is heated, the brine solution may be cooled. After the micronized Salicornia spp. is thoroughly mixed into the distilled water solution, excess biomass is removed and collected by pouring the heated brine solution through a mesh-screen bag, for instance, although any screening mechanism may be employed. The mesh-screen bag retains a content of rehydrated excess biomass. The rehydrated excess biomass may then be added to a mechanical device, such as a juicer, to collect any remaining brine solution. The remaining brine solution removed from the rehydrated excess biomass may then be returned to the heated brine solution. The excess biomass, (i.e., “bagasse”) may then be removed from the mechanical device, dehydrated, and stored for further use.

[0037] Cooling of the heated brine solution may be accomplished by placing the heated brine solution in a refrigerated space. In one aspect, the heated brine solution may be placed in a walk-in refrigerator. At this stage in method 100, a resultant and cooled brine solution may be referred to as an aqueous Salicornia spp. mixture.

[0038] The exemplary method 100 of FIGURE 1 may further include clarifying the aqueous Salicornia spp. mixture by fdtration as shown in step 150. After the brine solution is pasteurized and cooled, the brine solution is fdtered to remove excess plant matter and clarify the remaining brine. In one aspect, the remaining brine is filtered to a size of approximately five (5) microns.

[0039] Filtering the brine solution may be accomplished, for example, utilizing a dead-end canister filtration system. The dead-end canister filtration system may include a series of micron filters arranged in such a way that the brine solution passes through the series of micron filters that gradually reduce in size. A gradual reduction in size of the series of micron filters prevents clogging due to organic matter buildup. In one aspect, at least one of the series of micron filters may include a carbon filter to ensure separation of potentially toxic materials from the filtered brine solution. In an alternate embodiment, filtration of the brine solution may be accomplished with any dead-end filtration system or cross-flow filtration system.

[0040] The method 100 may further include inducing salt crystallization of the filtered, aqueous Salicornia spp. mixture through evaporation as shown in step 160 in FIGURE 1. Once the pasteurized aqueous Salicornia spp. mixture is filtered, the aqueous Salicornia spp. mixture is separated into smaller volumes. In one aspect, each volume of the aqueous Salicornia spp. mixture may be organized on food-grade trays. Each volume of the aqueous Salicornia Spp. mixture is then left to undergo a process of evaporation. Evaporation permits moisture within the aqueous Salicornia Spp. mixture to be removed to promote salt crystallization. In one aspect, the process of evaporation takes approximately twenty-four (24) to approximately forty-eight (48) hours. Once the process of evaporation is complete, dry salt crystals remain on the food-grade trays devoid of moisture content. The salt crystals are then removed from the food-grade trays and collected in food-safe containers.

[0041] In a further aspect, the process of evaporation may utilize a climate-controlled grow tent approximately eight feet by four feet (8 ft. x 4 ft.) in size. The climate-controlled grow tent is similar to that of the previously discussed climate-controlled grow tent used to dehydrate the original biomass solution. Further, the climate-controlled grow tent used in the process of evaporation may include an average relative humidity of twenty percent (20%) and an ambient temperature of between one hundred and one degrees Fahrenheit (101°F) and one hundred and four degrees Fahrenheit (104°F), more particularly, one hundred and two point two degrees Fahrenheit (102.2°F). The period of time to evaporate moisture content from the aqueous Salicornia Spp. mixture determines a size and a shape of the resulting crystallized salt formed during the evaporation process. Rapid evaporation may lead to undefined, smaller salt crystals, whereas slower evaporation may lead to larger, cuboidal salt crystals. In an alternateembodiment, other methods of evaporation may include spray drying, drum drying, freeze drying, fluid bed drying, dielectric drying, and cavitation.

[0042] Exemplary embodiments as disclosed herein may include, but are not limited to:

[0043] EMBODIMENT 1 : A method of extracting salt from plant material, comprising; harvesting halophyte Salicornia spp. plant matter; dehydrating the Salicornia spp. plant matter; micronizing the dehydrated Salicornia spp. plant matter; providing water; mixing the micronized Salicornia spp. plant matter into the water to produce an aqueous mixture; clarifying the aqueous mixture by fdtration; and inducing salt crystallization of the aqueous mixture through evaporation.

[0044] EMBODIMENT 2: The method as in embodiment 1, wherein harvesting of the halophyte Salicornia spp. plant matter is accomplished by hand, hand-held tools, or machine.

[0045] EMBODIMENT 3: The method as in embodiment 1, wherein dehydration of the halophyte Salicornia spp. plant matter is accomplished within a grow environment.

[0046] EMBODIMENT 4 : The method as in embodiment 3, wherein the grow environment is climate-controlled.

[0047] EMBODIMENT 5: The method as in any of the foregoing embodiments, wherein the dehydrated Salicornia spp. is micronized into a powder to separate mineral salts from remaining plant matter biomass.

[0048] EMBODIMENT 6: The method as in embodiment 5, wherein micronization of the dehydrated Salicornia spp. into the powder is accomplished via a blender.

[0049] EMBODIMENT 7: The method as in any of the foregoing embodiments, wherein the water is distilled.

[0050] EMBODIMENT 8: The method as in any of the foregoing embodiments, further comprising heating the water.

[0051] EMBODIMENT 9: The method as in any of the foregoing embodiments, further comprising a heating mechanism.

[0052] EMBODIMENT 10: The method as in any of the foregoing embodiments, further comprising heating the water to one hundred forty degrees Fahrenheit (140°F).

[0053] EMBODIMENT 11 : The method as in embodiment 10, further comprising heating the water via a heating vessel.

[0054] EMBODIMENT 12: The method as in any of the foregoing embodiments, wherein the aqueous mixture is a ratio of one-part water to one-part original Salicornia spp. plant matter biomass by weight.

[0055] EMBODIMENT 13: The method as in embodiment 12, wherein the aqueous mixture is an aqueous brine solution provided by further providing a mesh-screen; passing the aqueous mixture through the mesh-screen, the mesh-screen being configured to permit a passage of the aqueous brine solution and to collect an excess biomass; removing the excess biomass from the mesh-screen; placing the excess biomass into a mechanical device; energizing the mechanical device to remove additional aqueous brine from the excess biomass; returning the additional aqueous brine to the aqueous brine solution; and removing the excess biomass from the mechanical device; dehydrating the excess biomass; and storing the dehydrated excess biomass.

[0056] EMBODIMENT 14: The method as in any of the foregoing embodiments, further comprising cooling the aqueous mixture.

[0057] EMBODIMENT 15: The method as in embodiment 14, further comprising a refrigerated space for cooling the aqueous mixture.

[0058] EMBODIMENT 16: The method as in embodiment 15, wherein the cooled aqueous brine solution is filtered to remove excess plant matter.

[0059] EMBODIMENT 17: The method as in embodiment 16, wherein the remaining aqueous brine solution is clarified.

[0060] EMBODIMENT 18: The method as in embodiment 16, further comprising filters, wherein the filters comprise a series of micron filters, and wherein the series of micron filters decrease in size over the series of micron filters; and at least one of the series of micron filters comprise a carbon filter.

[0061] EMBODIMENT 19: The method as in any of the embodiments 13 through 18, wherein the filtered aqueous brine solution is arranged on food-grade trays.

[0062] EMBODIMENT 20: The method as in any of the embodiments 13 through 18, wherein a process of evaporation of the aqueous brine solution occurs between twenty-four (24) to forty-eight (48) hours.

[0063] EMBODIMENT 21 : The method as in embodiment 20, wherein the process of evaporation is accomplished via a climate-controlled grow tent.

[0064] EMBODIMENT 22: The method as in embodiment 21, wherein the climate- controlled grow tent comprises an average relative humidity of twenty percent (20%).

[0065] EMBODIMENT 23: The method as in embodiment 21, wherein the climate- controlled grow tent comprises an ambient temperature of one hundred and two point two degrees Fahrenheit (102.2°F).

[0066] EMBODIMENT 24: A method of extracting sea salt from halophyte Salicornia spp. plants, the method comprising harvesting Salicornia spp. plant matter; providing water; pureeing the Salicornia spp. plant matter with the water to produce a slurry; extracting macro- size Salicornia spp. plant matter from the slurry to produce a bagasse extraction; heating the bagasse extraction to produce a brine; filtering the brine; drying the brine; and deriving salt from the brine.

[0067] EMBODIMENT 25: A crystalline mineral salt derived from a Salicornia spp. of halophytes, wherein a Salicornia spp. biomass is not centrifuged, the Salicornia spp. biomass being pasteurized before crystallization resulting in a sodium chloride content of between about eighty percent (80%) to ninety percent (90%), more particularly about eighty-eight percent (88%).

[0068] EMBODIMENT 26 The crystalline mineral salt as in Embodiment 26, further comprising a potassium chloride content of about two percent.

[0069] EMBODIMENT 27: The crystalline mineral salt as in Embodiments 26 and 27, further comprising content selected from the group consisting of amino acids, about 0.00038% Pyridoxine, about 0.026% Calcium, about 0.003% Iron, about 1 .0% Magnesium, about 0.002% Zinc, about 0.003% Manganese, about 0.0005% Copper, about 0.0007% Aluminum, about 0.000005% Vitamin C, about 0.00001% Vitamin A and combinations thereof.

[0070] While the present subject matter has been described in detail with respect to specific embodiments thereof, it will be appreciated that those skilled in the art, upon attaining an understanding of the foregoing may readily produce alterations to, variations of, and equivalents to such embodiments. Accordingly, the scope of the present disclosure is by way of example rather than by way of limitation, and the subject disclosure does not preclude inclusion of such modifications, variations and / or additions to the present subject matter as would be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art.

Claims

CLAIMSThat which is claimed is:

1. A method of extracting salt from plant material, comprising; harvesting halophyte Salicornia spp. plant matter; dehydrating the Salicornia spp. plant matter; micronizing the dehydrated Salicornia spp. plant matter; providing water; mixing the micronized Salicornia spp. plant matter into the water to produce an aqueous mixture; clarifying the aqueous mixture by filtration; and inducing salt crystallization of the aqueous mixture through evaporation.

2. The method as in claim 1, wherein harvesting of the halophyte Salicornia spp. plant matter is by hand, hand-held tools, or machine.

3. 'fire method as in claim 1, wherein dehydration of the halophyte Salicornia spp. plant matter is accomplished within a grow environment.

4. The method as in claim 3, wherein the grow environment is climate controlled.

5. The method as in claim 1, wherein the dehydrated Salicornia spp. is micronized into a powder to separate mineral salts from remaining plant matter biomass.

6. Tire method as in claim 5, wherein micronization of the dehydrated Salicornia spp. into the powder is accomplished via a blending mechanism.

7. The method as in any of the foregoing embodiments, wherein the water is distilled.

8. Tire method as in claim 1, further comprising heating the water.

9. The method as in claim 1, further comprising providing a heating mechanism to heat the water.

10. The method as in claim 1, further comprising heating the water to betw een one hundred and thirty degrees Fahrenheit (130°F) and one hundred and fifty degrees Fahrenheit (150°F).

11. The method as in claim 10, further comprising providing a heating vessel for heating the water.

12. The method as in claim 1, wherein the aqueous mixture is a ratio between 0.75 parts water and 1.5 parts water to one-part original Salicornia spp. plant matter biomass by weight.

13. The method as in embodiment 12, wherein the aqueous mixture is an aqueous brine solution produced by: a. providing a screen; b. passing the aqueous mixture through the screen, the screen being configured to permit a passage of the aqueous brine solution and to collect an excess biomass; c. removing the excess biomass from the screen; d. placing the excess biomass into a mechanical device; e. energizing the mechanical device to remove additional aqueous brine from the excess biomass; f. returning the additional aqueous brine to the aqueous brine solution; g. removing the excess biomass from the mechanical device; h. dehydrating the excess biomass; and i. storing the dehydrated excess biomass.

14. The method as in claim 1, further comprising cooling the aqueous mixture.

15. The method as in claim 14, further comprising providing a refrigerated space for cooling the aqueous mixture.

16. The method as in claim 15, further comprising filtering the cooled aqueous brine solution to remove excess plant matter.

17. The method as in claim 16, further comprising clarifying the remaining aqueous brine solution.

18. The method as in claim 16, further comprising providing a plurality of micron filters decreasing in size from largest to smallest while clarifying, at least one of the micron filters being a carbon filter.

19. The method as in claim 16, further comprising arranging the filtered aqueous brine solution on food-grade trays.

20. The method as in claim 1, wherein the evaporation of the aqueous brine solution occurs between twenty-four (24) to forty-eight (48) hours.

21. The method as in claim 20, wherein the evaporation is accomplished via a climate- controlled grow environment.

22. The method as in claim 21, wherein the average relative humidity in the climate-controlled grow environment is twenty percent (20%).

23. The method as in claim 21, wherein an ambient temperature in the climate-controlled grow environment is between one hundred and one degrees Fahrenheit (101°F) and one hundred and four degrees Fahrenheit (104°F)24. A method of extracting sea salt from halophyte Salicornia spp. plants, the method comprising: harvesting Salicornia spp. plant matter; providing water; pureeing the Salicornia spp. plant matter with the water to produce a slurry; extracting macro-size Salicornia spp. plant matter from the shiny to produce a bagasse extraction; heating the bagasse extraction to produce a brine; filtering the brine; drying the brine; and deriving salt from the brine.

25. A crystalline mineral salt derived from a Salicornia spp. of halophytes, wherein a Salicornia spp. biomass is not centrifuged, the Salicornia spp. biomass being pasteurized before crystallization resulting in a sodium chloride content of between about eighty percent (80%) to ninety percent (90%), more particularly about eighty-eight percent (88%).

26. Tire cry stalline mineral salt as in claim 26, further comprising a potassium chloride content of about two percent.

27. The cry stalline mineral salt as in claim 26, further comprising content selected from the group consisting of amino acids, about 0.00038% Pyridoxine, about 0.026% Calcium, about 0.003% Iron, about 1.0% Magnesium, about 0.002% Zinc, about 0.003% Manganese, about 0.0005% Copper, about 0.0007% Aluminum, about 0.000005% Vitamin C, about 0.00001 % Vitamin A, and combinations thereof.