Freeze-dried extracts
Freeze-drying (cryo-drying) is a process which allows to obtain dried plant extracts in solid form. During freeze-drying, drying takes place at very low temperature and pressure, which allow the water or hydroalcoholic solution used as an extraction vehicle to be removed. The freeze-drying of an extract takes place in successive steps:
- Freezing or freezing: it is usually carried out before applying the vacuum, at a speed such as to create ice crystals of the optimal size for subsequent sublimation. It operates at temperatures between -30°C and -50°C.
- Sublimation: performed in temperature and pressure conditions such as to allow the sublimation of the ice, i.e. to remove the water used as a means of extraction by its direct passage from the solid state to the vapor state. Usually the pressure is very low (0.1-0.2 mmHg).
- Secondary drying: after the sublimation of the ice has finished, this operation serves to eliminate the residual water that may remain on the porous surface of the lyophilized material.
If alcohol is present, for example when a hydroalcoholic solution is used as an extraction vehicle, this is removed by concentration under reduced pressure and at temperatures of about 35-40°C, before freeze-drying.
The freeze-dried extracts we treat
We can offer dry extracts obtained by
freeze-drying from any aqueous or hydroalcoholic botanical extract.
These extracts can be developed and made in a
customized way, according to specific requests, before their freeze-drying, in order to obtain
new and unique products.
If you are looking for a freeze-dried extract CONTACT US