Process for enhancing organoleptic properties of natural products and natraceuticals thereof
A method for increasing functional and organoleptic properties of compositions having elements of biological origin more particularly herbal formulations is disclosed. Nutraceutical formulations for diabetes management and fortification of pulses and grains to lower oil absorption during frying are also disclosed. These foods are effective for weight management.
1 . A method for manufacturing a formulation of natural products comprising herbs, plants and/or spices and/or part thereof, with enhanced functional and organoleptic properties, said method comprising:
drying herbs and/or spices to achieve a moisture content of 5% to 25%,
wherein the herbs and/or spices are selected from Coriandrum sativum L., Illicium verum, Curcuma longa, Cuminum cyminum, Nigella sativa, Trigonella foenum - graecum, Piper nigrum, Syzygium aromaticum, Zingiber officinale, Phyllanthus emblica, Syzygium cumini, Cinnamomum verum, Senna alexandrina; Psidium guajava, Trachyspermum ammi , or Foeniculum vulgare.
grinding the herbs and/or spices to a resultant powder having a particle size of about 30 microns to about 300 microns;
homogenizing the resultant powder mixture with water into a slurry, by dissolving the powder mixture in water, followed by keeping it in a jacketed stirred tank for about 4 to about 16 hours at a temperature of 25° C. to 60° C. to form a slurry; and
distilling or filtering the slurry selected from:
(i) distilling of the slurry and collecting a condensate therefrom; or
(ii) filtering the slurry under pressure to obtain a filtrate and distilling the filtrate and collecting the condensate
wherein distilling the filtrate and/or distilling the remaining slurry is performed in vacuum between 0.01 torr to 300 torr, and
removing color and taste causing compounds to obtain the formulation of natural products.
2 . The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the grinding is by hammer mill or commercial food shredder pulveriser.
3 . The method as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the hammer mill is operated between 1500 RPM y 2000 RPM.
4 . The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein
the filtrate is subjected to either:
contacting the filtrate with activated carbon with a BET surface area of 500-1,700 sq metres per gram for a period of 30-60 minutes at a temperature of 35-65 deg C, to obtain the formulation of natural products; or
contacting the filtrate in an ion-exchange column with anionic polymers selected from the group consisting of microporous grade polystyrenic strong base type I anion exchanger having quarternary ammonium functional groups, non-ionic polydivinyl benzene adsorbant resins, and styrene matrix and acrylic matrix resins with BET surface area of 500-1,200 sq metres per gram; and
removing color and taste causing compounds after contact with the activated carbon or the anionic polymers to obtain the formulation of natural products.
5 . The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein distilling the filtrate is performed in a rotary evaporator immersed in a heated water bath or a water and glycol bath.
6 . The method as claimed in claim 5 , wherein the evaporator is rotated at 40-70 rpm, and optionally fitted with a condenser cooled with chilled water or a water and glycol mixture.
7 . The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein distilling the remaining slurry is by glass batch distillation.
8 . The method as claimed in claim 7 , wherein the glass batch distillation apparatus comprises an impeller and is immersed in a heated oil batch or is a shell and tube condenser, which is chilled with water or a water and glycol mixture.
9 . The method as claimed in claim 7 , wherein the glass batch distillation is operated at vacuum levels between 0.01 torr to 100 torr with a residence time in a range of 3 hours to 12 hours.
10 . The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the distillation of the slurry is carried out by charging the slurry to an Agitated Thin Film Evaporator (ATFE) or Wet Film Evaporator (WFE).
11 . The method as claimed in claim 10 , wherein charging the slurry is performed under vacuum ranging from 0.01 torr to 100 torr for a residence time ranging from 1 second to 60 seconds.