Echinacea Extract Powder - 4% by UV
Polyphenols Extraction Plants

Echinacea Extract Powder - 4% by UV

Echinacea Extract Powder

Echinacea Extract Powder - 4% by UV

Mechotech supplies the complete machinery for echinacea extract powder production, standardised to 4% polyphenols by UV. Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea) is rich in caffeic acid derivatives such as cichoric acid, valued for immune-support and antioxidant activity. Our turnkey plant extracts, concentrates, and spray-dries these actives into a standardised free-flowing powder for the nutraceutical and pharmaceutical markets.

Mechotech designs and manufactures the echinacea extract powder extraction plant as a turnkey solution with SS 316L construction, low-temperature aqueous-ethanol extraction, integrated solvent recovery, and spray drying. The process is engineered to protect the heat- and oxidation-sensitive phenolic fraction while achieving a consistent 4% assay by UV and low moisture, meeting FSSAI, WHO-GMP, and export-grade specifications.

Manufacturing Process

1

Raw Material Preparation

Dried echinacea aerial parts and/or root are authenticated, tested for moisture (target below 10%), and milled to 0.5–2 mm particle size to maximise solvent contact and phenolic release before extraction.

2

Extraction

Milled material is extracted with aqueous ethanol (40–60% v/v) in closed jacketed SS 316L extractors at 40–60°C. Controlled temperature and multiple cycles maximise cichoric and caffeic acid derivative recovery while limiting degradation of the sensitive phenolics.

3

Filtration

The extract (miscella) is clarified through a plate-and-frame filter press followed by 1–5 micron cartridge polish filters to remove particulates before concentration.

4

Vacuum Concentration

The clarified miscella is concentrated in a falling-film evaporator at 45–60°C under vacuum. Greater than 95% ethanol recovery is achieved through the condenser return system, reducing operating cost and solvent discharge.

5

Standardisation

The concentrate is assayed by UV for total phenolic content and blended or maltodextrin-adjusted to the declared 4% specification before drying.

6

Spray Drying & Quality Control

The standardised concentrate is spray-dried to a free-flowing powder with controlled inlet/outlet temperature to preserve the actives. Each batch undergoes UV assay, residual solvent, heavy metals, microbial, and moisture testing before release.

Applications

  • Immune-support nutraceutical capsule and tablet formulations
  • Cold and flu seasonal supplement blends
  • Functional food and dietary supplement manufacturing
  • Pharmaceutical standardised botanical ingredient supply
  • Herbal tinctures, syrups, and liquid extract products
  • Export to nutraceutical ingredient buyers in regulated markets

Key Features

  • GMP-Compliant SS 316L Construction

    All product-contact surfaces are electropolished SS 316L, meeting WHO-GMP and Schedule M requirements for botanical extract manufacturing, with clean-in-place (CIP) operation between batches.

  • Sensitive Phenolic Protection

    Closed low-temperature extraction and vacuum concentration at 45–60°C preserve the heat- and oxidation-sensitive cichoric and caffeic acid derivatives, holding the powder within its declared 4% assay by UV.

  • Closed-Loop Solvent Recovery (>95%)

    Integrated condenser-distillation recovery returns greater than 95% of the ethanol per batch, cutting variable operating cost and meeting CPCB solvent discharge norms.

  • Integrated Spray Drying

    A matched spray dryer converts the standardised concentrate into a free-flowing, low-moisture powder ready for encapsulation and blending, completing the turnkey powder line.

  • Scalable Batch Capacity

    Plants are configured from 100 kg/batch pilot scale to 2,000+ kg/batch commercial capacity, with a modular design that allows expansion without replacing core equipment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is echinacea extract powder and why is it commercially extracted?
Echinacea extract powder is the concentrated, spray-dried extract of Echinacea purpurea, standardised to 4% polyphenols by UV. It delivers echinacea's immune-support phenolics (cichoric and caffeic acid derivatives) in a stable, consistently dosed form for nutraceutical and pharmaceutical use — unlike raw herb, which has variable content.
Does Mechotech supply the machinery for echinacea extract powder?
Yes. Mechotech supplies the complete turnkey machinery — extraction vessels, filtration, vacuum concentration with solvent recovery, and spray drying — engineered, fabricated at our Hyderabad facility, installed, and commissioned as a single performance-verified plant.
What extraction method does Mechotech use for echinacea extract powder?
Mechotech uses closed low-temperature aqueous-ethanol extraction to recover the caffeic acid derivatives, followed by vacuum concentration and spray drying. The process is engineered around the sensitive phenolic chemistry of echinacea to maximise assay and yield.
What production capacities are available for the echinacea extract powder plant?
Mechotech manufactures echinacea extract powder plants from 100 kg/batch pilot systems to 2,000+ kg/batch commercial plants. Capacity is selected based on raw material supply, confirmed buyer volume, and investment timeline, and we recommend a pilot plant to validate process parameters before scaling.

Ready to discuss your project?

Get a free quote and technical consultation from our engineering team.

Get A Free Quote
★Review Us