Plant Extract

A plant extract is an active substance of a desired property extracted from plant roots, fruits, flowers, and leaves for the treatment of various illnesses or body malfunctions and synthetic replacements in food, cosmetic, and health products.

What are the uses of plant extracts?

Whole plant extracts are very beneficial in a wide range of treatment areas including cosmetology, sexual organ boosting, and immune system boosting. Both dry and liquid plant extracts can contain any of a wide range of purpose-specific bioactive compounds such as carotenoids and polyphenols, which have antioxidant and antimicrobial action, particularly against deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidative changes. These compounds found in natural plant extracts delay the development of off-flavors, thereby improving the shelf life and color stability of products. The natural origin of pure plant extracts makes them the best elements to replace synthetic compounds and so are ideal when made to serve as natural colorants, flavors, fragrances, preserving agents, and many others.

What methods are used to make plant extracts?

Plant extract powder and plant extract oils are derived from the separation of active plant materials and non-active plant materials using standard extraction methods. These standard extraction methods, however, span a range including maceration and decoction. Plant extraction done using the maceration method is processed within three days or more. A coarsely powdered drug material made from any part of the plant is poured into a container and a menstruum is poured on top till it completely covers the drug material then the container is closed and kept for three days or more. The content of the container is occasionally stirred to ensure complete extraction and it is then observed after three days. The solution is then decanted to separate the plant extract from the menstruum. Plant extracts are also gotten using the decoction method. This method of plant extraction is done using continuous heat and using a specified volume of water as the solvent. The menstruum is poured into a clean container and water is poured in. The solution is stirred and heat is then applied to hasten the extraction process. This plant extraction process lasts for at least fifteen minutes and is then decanted to separate the menstruum from the herb extract.