Method for processing dandelion plant components

A method for processing dandelion plant components (10), wherein obtaining of rubber as a first valuable product is achieved in the method and is characterized by the following steps:

• A) comminution and/or squeezing of the dandelion plant components (10), wherein the dandelion plant components (10) are dried dandelion roots from the species Taraxacum kok-saghyz, preferably with addition of water (30), to form a slurry (60), in which slurry the dandelion plant components (10) are suspended in water with a mean diameter of between 2 to 10 mm;
• wherein the comminution of the dandelion plant components (10) encompasses at least one precomminution (20) and a grinding and/or squashing (50),
• wherein the water (30) is added to an extent of from 5 to 20 parts, based on the weight of the plant components, and wherein the water has a neutral pH or an acidic pH, and
• wherein water is added before or after the precomminution (20) of the dandelion plant components (10), and the water is pressed out before the grinding and/or squashing to obtain an inulin syrup and/or inulin press water (340),
• wherein the inulin syrup and/or inulin press water is removed, and
• wherein the remaining solids after the press-out are re-suspended with addition of fresh water to form a slurry,
• B) first separation (70) of the slurry (60) into at least one high-inulin low-rubber phase (80, 80′) and at least one high-rubber low-inulin phase (90, 90′),
• wherein the first separation (70) is done by a two-phase decanter or separator,
• wherein the high-rubber low-inulin phase (90, 90′) forms the first valuable product or the first valuable product is obtained from the high-rubber low-inulin phase (90, 90′),
• wherein at least step A) is done at a temperature of less than 40° C., and
• wherein steps A) and B) are done without enzyme addition.