Usnic Acid Extract Powder - 98% by HPLC
Usnic Acid Extract Powder - 98% by HPLC
Mechotech supplies the complete machinery for usnic acid extract powder production, standardised to 98% Usnic acids by HPLC. Usnic acid is a lichen-derived organic acid, valued for its antimicrobial and natural-preservative properties. Our turnkey plant extracts, concentrates, and spray-dries these actives into a standardised free-flowing powder for the nutraceutical, functional food, and pharmaceutical markets.
Mechotech designs and manufactures the usnic acid 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-sensitive usnic acids fraction while achieving a consistent 98% assay by HPLC and low moisture, meeting FSSAI, WHO-GMP, and export-grade specifications.
Manufacturing Process
Raw Material Preparation
Dried usnic acid raw material is authenticated, tested for moisture (target below 10%), and milled to a uniform particle size to maximise solvent contact and release of the usnic acids before extraction.
Extraction
Milled material is extracted with warm water or aqueous ethanol (40–70% v/v) in closed jacketed SS 316L extractors at 45–70°C. Multiple cycles with fresh solvent maximise usnic acids recovery while limiting thermal degradation.
Filtration
The extract (miscella) is clarified through a plate-and-frame filter press followed by 1–5 micron cartridge polish filters to remove plant particulates before concentration.
Purification & Vacuum Concentration
For high-grade specifications, the extract passes a macroporous resin or membrane purification stage to enrich the target actives, then is concentrated in a falling-film evaporator at 50–65°C under vacuum with greater than 95% ethanol recovery.
Standardisation
The concentrate is assayed by HPLC for usnic acids content and blended or maltodextrin-adjusted to the declared 98% specification before drying.
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 HPLC assay, residual solvent, heavy metals, microbial, and moisture testing before release.
Applications
- Nutraceutical capsule and tablet formulations
- Functional food and dietary supplement manufacturing
- Pharmaceutical standardised botanical ingredient supply
- Ayurvedic and traditional medicine preparations
- Cosmetic and personal care active ingredient supply
- 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.
Standardised 98% Assay by HPLC
In-process and batch-release HPLC assay hold the finished powder within its declared 98% usnic acids specification for consistent, buyer-ready quality.
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 usnic acid extract powder and why is it commercially extracted?
Does Mechotech supply the machinery for usnic acid extract powder?
What testing method confirms the usnic acid extract powder specification?
What production capacities are available for the usnic acid extract powder plant?
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