MICROWAVE EXTRACTION

PRASHANT SONI
12 OIL 1005

INTRODUCTION
Microwave energy has been extensively used for extraction of
nutraceuticals from plant matrices
Microwaves are electromagnetic waves within the frequency band
of 300MHz300 GHz.
When a microwave passes through a medium, its energy is
absorbed and converted into thermal energy .
The ability of a medium to absorb and convert microwave energy
into heat is governed by its dielectric properties.

Instruments
Commercially, two types of microwave extraction units are
available: the closed-vessel system, commonly known as MAE, and
the open-vessel system, known as focused-microwave-assisted
solvent extraction system.

Mechanism
The conversion of microwave energy into thermal energy occurs
via two mechanisms: dipole rotation and ionic conduction.
When the radiation frequency corresponds to the rotational
motions of the molecule, energy transfer takes place, resulting in
a homogeneous heating of the solvent.
Ionic conduction and increased temperature caused by microwave
energy increase the penetration of the solvent into the matrix and
facilitate a synergistic combination of heat and mass transfer
gradients working in the same direction.

 During MAE, considerable pressure builds up inside the biomatrix,

which modifies the cell structure, allowing better penetration of
solvent into the matrix, thus enhancing the extraction yield.

Factors
The performance of an MAE process depends on a number of
factors,
1. solvent choice
2. microwave power output
3. extraction temperature
4. extraction time

solvent
Solvent is the more important factor in the process.
Dielectric properties of the solvent play an important role in defining
its ability to extract selected nutraceuticals from plant matrices.
higher the dielectric constant and dielectric loss factor of the solvent,
the higher is the capacity of the solvent to absorb microwave energy
and convert it into heat.
addition of salts to the extraction solvent mixture increases the heating
rate during the MAEprocess, because, in addition to the dipole
rotation, ionic conductivity also leads to heat generation in dielectric
heating.

Temperature
Extraction temperature is another important factor that influences the
extraction yield of the MAE process.
dielectric properties of the solvent will govern the extraction
temperature
combination of different solvents to lower the dielectric properties
ensures that the solvent temperature remains lower, to keep solutes
cooler once they are extracted into the solvent.
the microwave energy interacts more with the plant matrix, leading to
an enhanced release of bioactive components into a relatively cooler
solvent .

Choice of solvent
The solvent choice also affects the solubility and selectivity
of the analytes into the extraction solvent.
Since ,bioactive compounds vary a lot in their polarity therefore
Both polar and non-polar solvents can be used in microwave
extraction

Power
Microwave power and temperature are interrelated. It controls the
partition of analytes between the sample and solute, and also affects
the extraction temperature increasing the incident microwave power
will increase the rate of extraction and enhance the extraction yield.
Increasing the microwave incident power improves the extraction
yield and results in shorter extraction time, but efficiency only
increases till an optimal temperature is reached, and then it starts
decreasing because the selection of ideal microwave power and
temperature depends on the stability and selectivity of the target
nutraceutical compound.

apparatus

REFERENCES
Microwave-assisted Extraction for Bioactive Compounds: Theory
and Practice edited by Farid Chemat, Giancarlo Cravotto.
Nutraceutical and Functional Food Processing Technology edited
by Joyce Irene Boye