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S. SPLINTER, Radient Technologies Inc., WTC Technology Centre, 867 Lakeshore Rd., P.O. Box 5050, Burlington, ON L7R 4A6, Canada An innovative, patented microwave-assisted solvent-extraction technology known as MAPTM (Microwave-Assisted Processing) offers many advantages over conventional methods. Applications include the extraction of high-value compounds from natural sources including phytonutrients, nutraceutical and functional food ingredients, and pharma actives from biomass. MAP is extensively patented and the initial patent was granted free of prior art status in the U.S. Compared to conventional solvent extraction methods, Radient's technology offers some combination of the following advantages: (1) improved products, increased purity of crude extracts, improved stability of marker compounds, possibility to use less toxic solvents; and (2) reduced processing costs, increased recovery and purity of marker compounds, very fast extraction rates, reduced energy and solvent usage. With MAP, microwaves drive extraction as opposed to diffusion, leading to very fast extraction rates and greater solvent flexibility. Many variables, including the microwave power and energy density, can be tuned to deliver desired product attributes and optimize process economics. Beyond our existing customer relationships, proof-of-concept has been established for a wide spectrum of actives and biomass substrates with very large associated markets. The process can be customized to optimize for commercial/cost reasons and excellent extracts are produced from widely varying substrates. Examples include, but are not limited to, antioxidants from dried herbs, carotenoids from single cells and plant sources, taxanes from taxus biomass, essential fatty acids from microalgae and oilseeds, phytosterols from medicinal plants, polyphenols from green tea, flavor constituents from vanilla and black pepper, essential oils from various sources, and many more. The basis of MAP will be described and case studies presented. The significant benefits to commercial companies in the pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, nutritional supplement, and agri-food industries will be discussed.
Session 3, NEW PRODUCTS & TECHNOLOGIES: Innovations in nutritional ingredients and food processing
2005 IFT Annual Meeting, July 15-20 - New Orleans, Louisiana |