Microwave-assisted natural products extraction

Abstract

The extraction of natural products from material of biological origin is enhanced and accelerated by concurrent contact with extractant medium and exposure to microwave radiation. Normally the extractant medium is selected to be transparent to the microwave and to remain at ambient temperature: however, if some heating of the medium is permissible it may be partially transparent. Sufficient extractant medium should be present to effect the desired extraction. The extraction products are recovered by standard procedures. Materials used for extraction include mint, sea parsley, cedar foilage and garlic. Extractants may be for instance hexane, dichloromethane or ethanol. Extractions may be in two or more stages with different extractants used in each stage. Some of these extraction products are found to be novel, and quite distinct from steam distillation products.

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